The health ministry announced on Monday that at least 132 people had perished in the war-torn nation of Sudan as a result of flooding and severe rainfall this year.
Since last month, the nation has been experiencing an extreme rainy season, with sporadic torrential flooding primarily in the north and east of the nation.
“The total number of affected states is 10, while the number of affected families rose to 31,666 families and individuals to 129,650,” it stated in a statement. “The total number of deaths reached 132.”
Although flooding occurs in Sudan every year, this year’s effects are predicted to be particularly severe due to over 16 months of conflict between rival generals that has forced millions of displaced people into flood zones.
The rains caused over 12,420 dwellings to entirely collapse and 11,472 more to partially collapse, according to the ministry, which stated that the majority of the damage was in the Northern and River Nile provinces of Sudan.
Saturday’s heavy rains caused the Arbaat region north of Port Sudan, a city on the Red Sea, to flood, collapsing the Arbaat Dam and sweeping entire villages away.
Issa Adroub, a local, observed, “The torrent swept away houses and animals… people went up to the mountains to protect themselves.”
After the fighting in Khartoum broke out, officials moved to Port Sudan, which depends heavily on the reservoir for water.
“13 people have been found dead, including women and children, and the search is ongoing for 210 missing persons,” local volunteers who are assisting with rescue efforts informed the media.
Twenty towns were totally destroyed and fifty more were severely affected by the floodwaters, according to reports. This time of year, the area typically has rain between November and March, thus the rain is unexpected.
A rise in cholera cases has been observed by the UN and Sudanese authorities in the midst of the rains.
In early August, the World Health Organization reported that since June 2023, Sudan has seen at least 11,327 cases of cholera, 316 of which were fatal.
According to Sudan’s Minister of Health, Haitham Ibrahim, the epidemic was caused by “climatic conditions and water contamination”.
Since April 2023, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, led by Burhan’s former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, and the Sudanese army, led by the nation’s de facto ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, have been engaged in combat.
War crimes, such as the killing of civilians and the looting or obstruction of humanitarian aid, have been leveled against both sides.
