In a devastating blow to an already beleaguered region, surging waters have burst through the Arbaat dam in eastern Sudan, unleashing a torrent of destruction across at least 20 villages.
The calamity has claimed at least 30 lives, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue operations continue in the flood-ravaged area.
The dam, located 25 miles north of Port Sudan, succumbed to the weight of torrential rains, which overwhelmed its structure and led to catastrophic flooding. The region, already reeling from months of intense civil war, now faces a new level of crisis as infrastructure and homes have been swept away.
The United Nations reports that around 50,000 people have been affected by the flood, with many more potentially impacted as the situation unfolds.
Floodwaters from a dam breach sweep away homes in Sudan, compounding the ongoing crisis.Omar Eissa Haroun, head of the Red Sea State water authority, described the aftermath as “unrecognizable,” with essential services such as electricity and water supply destroyed.
In a grim comparison, the disaster has been likened to the recent catastrophe in eastern Libya, where similar storm-driven floods resulted in widespread devastation and loss of life.
The damage extends beyond immediate human suffering. Port Sudan, the main hub for humanitarian aid and crucial services, relies heavily on the Arbaat dam.
Its collapse has jeopardized water supplies and impeded aid deliveries, compounding the region’s dire situation.
With a history of infrastructure neglect exacerbated by ongoing conflict, Sudan’s ability to recover from this disaster is uncertain.
The government has reported 132 flood-related deaths nationwide this season, with over 118,000 people displaced. As the rains continue, the scale of the destruction and the urgent need for international aid become ever more pressing.