Lightning strikes, floods cause death and injury in Central Darfur

Thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rains caused the death of five people and wounded 17 others at Umm Ger Namali in Wadi Salih locality, Central Darfur, on Wednesday. Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that the torrential rains started on Wednesday morning and continued until the evening. “Five citizens are unaccounted for and presumed dead, while 17 were wounded; either by the lightning strikes or in the ensuing floods.” The deluge caused 50 houses and a number of shops to collapse, and also killed 50 animals. The sources said those affected live now in the open, without shelter or food. As they are in dire need of aid, the villager appealed to the government authorities and humanitarian relief organisations to assist them. Also in Central Darfur, lightning strikes injured five people at Nertiti camp for the displaced on Tuesday, and destroyed 40 houses. A sheikh of the camp told Radio Dabanga that Mohamed Abdulla Omar and his four sons were seriously injured in a lightning strike, and had to be transferred to Nertiti hospital for treatment. The sheikh appealed to relief organisations to provide tarpaulins and tents for the displaced, describing their living conditions as tragic. In a statement on Tuesday, the Sudanese Red Crescent announced that 765 families have been affected by rain and floods in El Kuma locality in North Darfur. Some 53 houses and 10 classrooms were destroyed, and Kuma town market was flooded. File photo: Seasonal rains and flash floods have left thousands homeless and destitute across Sudan (UN OCHA) Related: Mother dies in Chad, classrooms collapse in Darfur downpours (18 August 2013)SPLM-N urges Khartoum to declare state of emergency in Sudan (14 August)Sudan opposition criticises Khartoum’s ‘inability’ to deal with rain (13 August 2013)