From War to Floods: Sputnik's Report on Sudan's Struggle With Devastating Deluges

Sudan, already reeling from months of violent conflict, now faces a devastating natural disaster. For two weeks, massive floods have swept across the country, washing away entire villages, leaving at least 150 people missing and 132 dead. The combination of war and the Great Flood, as locals are calling it, has plunged the country deeper into crisis, with many fearing the worst is yet to come.

Sudan has been in turmoil since April 2023, when violent clashes erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The ongoing conflict has displaced millions and caused a humanitarian disaster, with civilians caught in the crossfire. As the fighting continues, the country has now been hit by an unprecedented flood, compounding an already dire situation.

“There are already claims that this is the most powerful flood in Sudan's history. Entire villages have never been washed away like this before [...]. Many dams have been destroyed. The damage has not yet been fully assessed, and there’s no communication with many affected areas. The exact number of dead and missing is still unknown,” Nidal Mahdi, a humanitarian worker in Sudan, told Sputnik.

Floods in Sudan.

The flooding has left large portions of the population stranded. With many villages cut off from aid, locals are struggling to survive without basic necessities.

"Entire settlements are trapped, with people lacking food and clean water, and no one can evacuate them. The country is at war, and international organizations are not conducting any rescue operations," Mahdi said, warning of the growing threat of famine and disease outbreaks in the flooded regions.

Lubna al-Rahman, a prominent Sudanese public figure, emphasized the urgency of the situation while still remaining hopeful the international community will help the country.

“Right now, we are in urgent need of tents. Food and medicine can still be found to some extent, but without temporary shelter, it's extremely difficult for people. We really hope that international organizations and the UN won’t remain indifferent and will help the Sudanese,” she told Sputnik.

About 20 Villages Destroyed, 30 People Died in Northeastern Sudan After Dam Collapse, OCHA Says

28 August, 09:32

The heavy rains have also led to the collapse of critical infrastructure. In northeastern Sudan, the Arbaat Dam—located near the coastal city of Port Sudan—collapsed, causing severe flooding in the surrounding areas. The dam, which had stood since 2003, was a vital source of drinking water for the city’s residents.

Navarah Abmohammed Bafli, a researcher at Red Sea University, blamed the collapse on negligence.

“A lot of silt had accumulated in the reservoir, which was not cleared. It clogged the sluice gates, which then functioned poorly. When the rains came, we ended up with this disaster,” she argued.

The collapse of the Arbaat Dam has raised fears of a severe water shortage in the region. The local Ministry of Health said that many residents have fled their homes and sought refuge in the mountains, where they are now stranded.

Arbaat Dam.