The United Nations reports that flooding in Sudan has affected over 60,000 people across 12 states.
According to the latest report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, flooding has affected the states of Northern, River Nile, Khartoum, Al Jazirah, Gedaref, Sennar, Blue Nile, White Nile, South Kordofan, South Darfur, West Darfur and North Kordofan. Flooding began around late July and into early August after the onset of the rainy season.
Furthermore, 3,848 houses have been destroyed and 8,514 damaged. In a recent announcement, Sudan’s National Council for Civil Defense said a total of 43 people have lost their lives as a result of heavy rains and flooding.
River Nile State is the hardest hit, with over 27,000 people affected, including 20,000 in Barbar locality where 1,738 homes have been destroyed. As many as 7,710 people have been affected in Al Fao in Gedaref State where 528 homes have been destroyed.
River Nile Levels
The Nile river is above the danger mark in several locations in the country. As of 22 August, the river stood at 16.12 metres at Atbara in River Nile State. The danger mark here is 15.78 metres. In Shandi (also Shendi) in River Nile State the river reached 17.86 metres where the danger mark is 17.60 metres. In the capital Khartoum, the Nile reached 17.06 metres on 22 August. Danger level here is 16.5 metres.
Heavy Rain Forecast
The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre has forecast Heavy to very heavy rainfall in regions of southern Sudan (parts of white Nile), Sennar, Gedaref, Kordofan, and Darfur states; western and northern Ethiopia (parts of Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, and Benishangul Gumuz); and western Eritrea. Total rainfall above 100 mm is expected in these regions from24 to 31 August 2021.
