Heavy rains and flooding across Sudan

In its latest Humanitarian Bulletin, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Sudan reports that the areas of Sudan affected by heavy rains and flash floods include parts of Blue Nile, Kassala, Khartoum, North Darfur, Northern, and South and West Kordofan states.

According to the Sudan Meteorology Authority (SMA), above average and average rainfall is expected to continue. Although flooding occurs annually in Sudan, according to the Ministry of Water Resources, the level of the River Nile and its tributaries are already close to alarming levels at this early stage of the rainy season (June to October/ September). Often used as a flooding indicator, the level of the Blue Nile in Ed Deim locality, bordering Ethiopia, has reportedly already surpassed the alarming level.

The government-led National Flood Steering Committee is liaising with key actors to monitor flooding and response, and government authorities and local communities will respond to needs arising as a result of rains and flooding in Sudan. As in earlier years, the international community may need to respond and support flood preparedness and response measures in partnership with national actors.

Flooding affects over 7,000 people in North Darfur

Over 300 latrines and 500 houses were reportedly destroyed and more damaged in Shangil Tobaya locality, North Darfur, affecting over 2,750 people of an estimated 20,500 people in Nifasha camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs), 75 kilometres from El Fasher, the state capital. As an emergency measure, affected families and those at risk have been relocated to an area which is at a slightly higher elevation, 600 metres from the affected site. The affected families urgently need emergency shelter and household items, and lack of sanitation facilities is reportedly a problem. An inter-agency rapid needs assessment is planned for 18 July. According to the North Darfur Flood Contingency Plan, an estimated 25,000 people may be affected by floods in the state this year.

Local authorities flood response initiated in Khartoum and West Kordofan

Heavy rain in Khartoum State has destroyed 105 houses and damaged a further 124 houses, according to the Sudan Red Crescent Society (SRCS), affecting an estimated 1,145 people, and two people were reportedly killed. Ibrahim Malaik hospital, one of Khartoum's main hospitals, was flooded; emergency services were able to pump the water out, and the hospital is reportedly functional. SRCS and the governmental Commission for Voluntary and Humanitarian Work has mobilised 18 teams to respond to rains and flooding-related emergencies in Khartoum State.

In El Nuhud, West Kordofan State, severe flooding has reportedly killed one person, and a further seven are missing. El Nuhud is 220 kilometres west of El Fula town. The Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) reported that over 1,000 people have been affected. A local flood response committee established by the government is registering the affected people and assessing needs, and more information will be available soon. Humanitarian partners plan to engage with HAC to facilitate the dispatch of 1,700 essential household item kits to Kadugli as part of the preparedness for the flood response in South and West Kordofan.