More heavy rains forecast as 73k+ stricken by Sudan floods – West Darfur, Red Sea states hardest hit
Floods in Kassala have affected 11,700 internally displaced people living in shelters, forcing them to relocate once more and resulting in dire circumstances (Photo: United Nations Population Fund / UNFPA @_UnfpaSudan)
More than 73,000 people have been stricken by heavy rains and resulting floods across 11 states in Sudan, with Red Sea state and West Darfur hardest hit. More than 21,000 people have been displaced, humanitarian organisations say.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Sudan, at least 73,183 people were affected by floods in 11 states, mostly in the Red Sea state and West Darfur. More than 14,340 homes have been destroyed and over 21,370 people displaced by floods.
As reported by Radio Dabanga on Friday, the Early Warning Unit of the Sudan Meteorological Authority issued a warning of very heavy rainfall, urging the public in large swaths of Sudan to avoid low-lying areas, rivers and creeks, as heavy rains are forecast over the coming week, with warnings of potentially life-threatening flash floods, infrastructure, and property damage.
Rain forecast for next week
The Early Warning Unit forecasts more heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds in Red Sea state, the northern outskirts of Kassala state, and the middle of North Darfur.
The unit added that these rains are expected to lead to torrential floods in those areas, and called on the concerned authorities and local authorities to take the highest levels of caution and preparedness.
West Darfur
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) confirms that heavy rains and floods on Monday displaced 2,448 families from the Foro Baranga area in West Darfur. A caller from Foro Baranga told Radio Dabanga that the floods swept through El Zahour, El Salam, El Taawon, El Buhaira, and other neighbourhoods. Field teams report that 1,845 houses were destroyed and 603 houses were partially damaged.
West Darfur Wali (governor) El Tahir Karshom, who is affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), says that more than 7,000 homes were completely or partially damaged in El Geneina, the state capital. He called on the United Nations and humanitarian organisations to intervene immediately to provide relief to citizens living in difficult conditions on the roads and in need of food and shelter materials.
A volunteer from El Geneina confirmed to Radio Dabanga that heavy rains and the flooding of Wadi Kaja led to floods of about a metre. He pointed out that there was significant damage to property in the neighbourhoods of Ardamata, Umm Duwein, El Jureif, El Zahour, El Sawra and El Soug.
Central Darfur
Callers from Central Darfur told Radio Dabanga that the flooding of Wadi Bari has cut off the main road between Central and West Darfur in the Maroni area. This is the main road for transporting goods and food to the region.
Floods in Shangil Tobaya
In North Darfur, heavy rains and floods fell in the Shangil Tobaya area in Dar El Salam locality on Monday, displacing 500 families, according to statistics from the International Organisation for Migration. The floods destroyed about 500 homes and 600 latrines, while 700 homes and 200 latrines were partially damaged.
Main road
In eastern Sudan, floods swept across the national road linking Haya and Atbara in the Khor Arab area on Wednesday morning, forcing the Rapid Transit Administration to halt vehicles in an area far from the floods. Callers say that floods swept through El Ganeb and Haleyeb localities in the Red Sea state. The floods also swept through the roads leading to Port Sudan from the north.
On Sunday, heavy rains and floods across the Halayeb area displaced 91 families after their homes were damaged. The Emergency Operations Centre of the federal Ministry of Health says that 22 localities in seven states were affected by rains and floods.
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