The Arbaat Dam in eastern Sudan collapsed on Sunday. This caused severe flooding, killing at least 60 people. Hundreds are still missing. Omer Issa Tahir, head of the Red Sea State’s Water Corporation, confirmed the incident on Monday. The collapse devastated villages near Port Sudan, the state’s capital.
Tahir emphasized the need for urgent help in the affected areas. Many villagers fled to nearby mountains to escape the floodwaters. There, they face additional dangers like scorpion and snake bites. “Evacuating those trapped by the flooding is the top priority,” Tahir stated. Rescue teams are currently trying to reach the stranded.
Local reports say heavy rains caused the dam to collapse. The floodwaters, filled with silt, destroyed nearby villages. This has made rescue efforts more difficult. The dam, 20 kilometers north of Port Sudan, held 25 million cubic meters of water. It was a vital water source for the city. According to the UN, heavy rains and flooding have affected around 317,000 people in Sudan since June.
The Sudanese Meteorological Authority expects rains and flooding to continue until mid-September. Flooding is a regular problem in Sudan, especially from June to October. This often leads to severe loss of life and damage to farmland.
This year’s rainy season has worsened Sudan’s humanitarian crisis. The country is already struggling with a deadly conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. Since April 15, 2023, the conflict has claimed at least 16,650 lives. Additionally, 10.7 million people are displaced within Sudan. Another 2.2 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries, according to recent UN data.
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