Heavy Rains Submerge Juba International Airport Parking Area

Editorial: reda El ghazal

Torrential rains submerged the parking zone of Juba International Airport last Tuesday, triggering chaos as rising waters trapped vehicles and disrupted travel plans. Eyewitnesses described scenes of near-total inundation, with cars half-submerged and passengers struggling to retrieve luggage. Airport authorities temporarily halted some landing operations, citing reduced visibility and waterlogged runways, while stranded travelers faced indefinite delays amid efforts to drain the flooded premises.

The crisis has reignited criticism of the airport’s aging drainage systems, long criticized for failing to handle seasonal downpours. Locals and frequent flyers expressed frustration over recurring infrastructure failures, urging immediate upgrades to prevent annual disruptions. As South Sudan’s primary aviation hub, the airport’s vulnerabilities threaten both domestic connectivity and international transit, amplifying calls for government intervention.

Emergency crews worked through the day to pump out stagnant water and restore partial access, though officials warned of lingering delays. Meteorologists linked the deluge to intensified seasonal weather patterns, prompting broader discussions about climate resilience in urban planning. With forecasts predicting more rain, the incident underscores a pressing need for infrastructure investments to safeguard critical transport networks against escalating environmental challenges.