White Nile governor urges weed removal to prevent floods, water cuts

October 24, 2026 (KOSTI) – White Nile Governor Gamar Aldin Fadl Almula called on the Ministry of Irrigation on Saturday to remove Nile weeds to prevent flooding and disruption of drinking water stations.

Neighbourhoods and displacement shelters in Kosti are facing a drinking water crisis after Nile weeds blocked the water intake at the JICA station. Local authorities are currently attempting to clear the vegetation.

The White Nile governor’s office said in a statement that Fadl Almula issued an urgent appeal to the Ministry of Irrigation to deploy heavy machinery and equipment to clear the Nile weeds in Kosti.

The weeds affect the flow of the Nile, causing floods that threaten the area and disrupt water stations and river transport, the statement added.

The governor inspected the progress of the weed removal operations, which are utilizing a floating excavator.

His office reported success in field efforts to clean the intake of the main JICA water station, which supplies the city of Kosti.

Weeds and Nile plants washed up by rising White Nile levels caused the blockage.

This clearance has allowed water to gradually flow back and serve residents.

When water supplies are disrupted, residents are forced to use untreated Nile water directly. This increases the risk of waterborne diseases, including cholera and watery diarrhoea.

Akram Al-Jazouli, director of the infrastructure department in White Nile state, said weed-removal operations with the floating excavator began at the JICA water station.

He added that the operations will then move to clear the old railway bridge.

Al-Jazouli expects these efforts to help protect water stations and reduce the effects of the blocked water current on the bridge’s southern side.

This blockage causes floods that impact the dry port and several areas within Kosti.