Authorities in Nyirol County of Jonglei State say two children died after drowning in floodwaters over the weekend.

Nyirol County acting commissioner Makuei Puok told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that the children drowned after they were washed away by floodwaters in the Guer area on Saturday.   

“Level of floodwaters have increased in the county. Chol Deng, 5, and Gatkuoth Gai, 3, were crossing with their mothers from the Payilieth village to the Leek village. On their way, floodwaters waves became so powerful. The two children were washed away and died,” Makuei explained.    

He blamed the deaths on the level of the rising floodwaters in the county as he warned that the situation could worsen in the coming weeks. 

Last week, at least five people drowned in the floodwaters in the Jonglei State capital, Bor.    

Floods have hit Jonglei State since February. According to the country’s Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), 350,000 people displaced by the floods across Jonglei, are in dire need of relief aid.