UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 890,000 people in South Sudan have been affected by floods, more than twice the number recorded three weeks ago, a UN spokesperson said Monday.

Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, told a daily briefing that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that flooding continues across South Sudan due to heavy rains and rising water levels along the Nile River.

The vast majority of the people affected are in the states of Jonglei and Unity, and nearly a third of them have been displaced and are seeking shelter on higher ground, he said.

The floods have caused extensive damage to homes, crops, schools, health facilities, roads and other critical infrastructure, further complicating humanitarian access, said the spokesperson.

"Despite these challenges, the UN and its humanitarian partners continue to deliver life-saving assistance, including shelter, food and nutrition support, cash assistance, health and water and sanitation services," as well as sandbags and other flood control materials, Haq said.

Above-average rainfall is expected across most of South Sudan, heightening flood risks, he added.

As of Oct. 13, the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for South Sudan, which seeks 1.7 billion U.S. dollars to assist 5.4 million people, is only 30 percent funded, hampering the ability to scale up emergency interventions, pre-position supplies and sustain operations, according to the spokesperson. ■