South Sudan: Flooding Situation Flash Update No. 8 (As of 24 October 2025)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • As of 24 October, flooding has affected 961,000 people in 26 counties across six states, with Jonglei and Unity accounting for over 92 per cent.
  • According to Centre for Humanitarian Data, as of 21 October, current flood exposure across South Sudan remains below the levels recorded during the major flood years of 2021, 2022, and 2024, yet it is still significantly above the historical average.
  • On 21 October, IOM and the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation signed an agreement to strengthen flood defenses in Bor Town. With a $8.5 million investment, IOM will build flood-resilient infrastructure and rehabilitate 95 km of drainage channels aiming to protect 70% of Bor Town’s population from recurrent flooding.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

South Sudan continues to experience severe and widespread flooding, with conditions worsening across multiple states. As of 24 October, an estimated 961,000 people have been affected in 26 counties across six states, with Jonglei and Unity accounting for over 92 per cent of the total caseload. Approximately 335,000 people have been displaced across 16 counties, many sheltering on higher ground. The flooding compounds an already critical situation marked by severe food insecurity, ongoing conflict, and disease outbreaks.

Of those affected an estimated 624,300 people are in Jonglei State, 256,100 people in Unity State, 29,400 people in Upper Nile State, 24,500 people in Central Equatoria State, 15,800 people in Western Equatoria State and 10,600 people in Warrap State Homes, farms, and infrastructure have been damaged by floods, disrupting livelihoods and basic services.

Flood-affected areas are experiencing increased health risks, with rising cases of malaria, acute respiratory infections, diarrhea, and a resurgence of cholera.

During the week, five health facilities were impacted—four fully submerged and one partially in Jonglei and Unity States. Since September 143 health facilities have been affected by flooding, including 44 fully submerged and damaged, cutting off access to essential health services for thousands particularly in Jonglei and Unity States. As of 23 October, at least 146 snakebite cases linked to ongoing flooding have been reported, with Unity State accounting for 43 per cent and Jonglei State for 21 per cent of the total. Three fatalities related to snake bites have been confirmed in Jonglei State. Flooding heightens vulnerability to gender-based violence, especially for women and girls, who face increased risks of sexual violence and exploitation in displacement settings and isolated areas as reported in Canal/Pigi and Fangak counties in Jonglei State.

Jonglei State

Flooding remains a major challenge in Ayod, Canal/Pigi, Fangak, Duk, Twic East, Akobo, Pibor, and Pochalla counties, impacting people and severely hindering humanitarian access. Affected people are increasingly forced to seek refuge along roadsides under precarious conditions. Displaced families are sheltering in overcrowded public facilities, while others have relocated to higher ground. Rising river levels and continuous rain worsen conditions. The road between Bor and Pibor is impassable, and goods from Juba are only arriving by air, driving up market prices and exacerbating humanitarian condition of the people.

Upper Nile State

On 17 and 18 October, humanitarian partners conducted an Integrated Rapid Needs Assessment (IRNA) in Canal, Korfulus, Panam, and Mareng payams of Canal/Pigi County, and Ashabnil and Dollepel payams in Panyikang County. Initial findings indicate that approximately 75,000 people have been severely affected and are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. An IRNA is also planned for New Fangak in Jonglei State on 23 and 24 October.

In Ulang County, on 14 October, flash floods displaced 684 people in Makak village, Kurmuot Payam. The displaced population is currently sheltering higher ground in Bukteng and Dualdong villages. Reports indicate extensive damage to shelters and household items. Urgent needs include shelter and non-food items, water, sanitation and hygiene, food, health, nutrition, and protection services.

UNHCR assessed three damaged sections of the dyke in Bunj Town, Maban County. As a temporary mitigation measure, reinforcement with sandbags commenced to prevent further water intrusion until the ground stabilizes and full restoration can resume. In Renk County, although no heavy rainfall was recorded this week, several areas including those around the Renk Transit Center remain waterlogged with stagnant water, posing significant health and protection risks to the community.

Unity State

Flooding in Rubkona County continues to devastate communities, with rising waters submerging shelters and destroying household belongings and livelihoods. The lack of protective items like gumboots has increased vulnerability to injuries and snakebites. Many displaced families, whose homes were washed away, are now sheltering along roadsides under precarious conditions.

In Leer County, an estimated 63,000 individuals (19,817 households) were reported affected by flooding in 16 payams, including 23,000 people (3,833 households) displaced and seeking refuge on higher ground. Urgent humanitarian needs include food, medicine, shelter and non-food items, and water, sanitation and hygiene services. Local authorities have requested cash-based interventions to support dyke construction and community resilience programming in the affected payams. IOM is actively monitoring water levels and has developed an online dashboard to support real-time flood response coordination and information sharing. Flood Water Monitoring Dashboard.