On Monday March 1 2010 there was a major disaster in Bududa
district, which is part of the region we are twinned with in
PONT. For several days there was torrential rain. A 200m wide
landslide occurred that destroyed 3 villages. The weather had
already made many roads impassable, with the result that nearest
remaining usable road access was 4 or 5 hours walk away.
Consequently it was not possible to get large mechanical
equipment to the area, so digging had to be with bare hands and
shovels. Due to a swollen river children were unable to complete
their journey home from school earlier. They took shelter from
thre rains in a building, which was then taken in the mudslide.
This has a particular poignancy for us because close to
Pontypridd is the All water and sanitation was destroyed. Pit
latrines were washed into the rivers, leading to the risk of
health issues further downstream. Swollen rivers are causing
flooding of lower lying areas. Reports suggest there is a
potential need to move people out. Up to 10,00