Port Sudan, August 26, 2024 – Eastern Sudan is grappling with a monumental disaster as torrential rains have caused the catastrophic failure of the Arbaat dam.
The breach, which occurred north of Port Sudan, has destroyed at least 20 villages and left a reported 30 people dead, though the true number of casualties may be significantly higher.
The Arbaat dam, a crucial infrastructure located 25 miles north of Port Sudan, was overwhelmed by unprecedented rains on Sunday.
The dam’s collapse has had a dire impact on the region, which was already reeling from ongoing civil conflict. Omar Eissa Haroun, head of the water authority for Red Sea state, described the scene as “unrecognizable,” noting the destruction of essential services such as electricity and water pipes.
Emergency responders have reported between 150 and 200 individuals missing, including gold miners whose remains and equipment were found amidst the wreckage. This disaster bears a grim resemblance to the devastation in eastern Libya last year, where storm waters caused similar havoc.
The dam’s collapse has severely disrupted Port SudanThe UN has indicated that around 50,000 people have been affected by the flooding west of the dam, with the situation remaining unclear in areas to the east due to inaccessibility.
The dam’s collapse has severely disrupted Port Sudan, a critical hub for the nation’s Red Sea port and aid deliveries.
The dam had been showing signs of deterioration before the floods, exacerbated by prolonged rainfall and silt buildup. Sudan’s infrastructure, already strained by the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, was further compromised.
Both factions have diverted resources from maintaining essential infrastructure to the war effort, leaving the nation’s dams, roads, and bridges in a state of disrepair.
In response to the crisis, the health ministry has reported that the death toll from floods across the country has risen to 132, with 118,000 people displaced this year alone. Many survivors have fled to mountainous regions but remain stranded as the floods continue to ravage the area.
The full extent of the disaster and its implications for the region remain under assessment, with ongoing efforts to provide aid and support to the affected communities.