A dam collapse in eastern Sudan has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis caused by the country's civil war. The Arbaat dam, located about 35 kilometers northwest of Port Sudan, burst on August 24, inundating nearby villages and causing widespread destruction. The dam is a primary water source for the coastal city.
Officials reported that torrential rains overwhelmed the dam, causing its collapse. Since the civil war erupted in April 2023, Port Sudan has served as the de facto national capital, becoming a hub for the government, diplomats, aid agencies, and hundreds of thousands of displaced people.
The government has deployed emergency response teams to the affected areas, but locals have reported significant challenges in reaching individuals trapped in the floodwaters or stranded on higher ground, citing swift currents, debris, and damaged infrastructure as obstacles to the response efforts. Between 25 to 60 people are believed to have died.
Minister of Health Mohamed Ibrahim, accompanied by state government officials, visited the affected areas to assess the damage and coordinate the response. He promised the government's commitment to providing essential medical supplies, an ambulance, and medical teams to assist those in need.
“The minister assessed the needs of the Takwili health center and directed the provision of essential medicines and supplies. The state government also committed to providing an ambulance and medical teams to respond to cases evacuated from the affected villages,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement.
The country’s military ruler Abdelfattah Al-Burhan also inspected the areas affected during a visit with the governor of Red Sea State Mustafa Mohamed Noor. Al-Burhan, according to a statement by the Transitional Sovereign Council, reaffirmed government commitment to supporting those affected.
“We will provide all the necessary assistance and support to alleviate their suffering and mobilize all state apparatuses to help the affected people overcome this ordeal,” he was quoted as saying by the transitional council. The statement said that Al-Burhan “also participated in the funeral ceremonies of the victims of the floods and rains that swept through the locality and offered his sincere condolences to the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.”
Port Sudan, which has also served as the de facto capital of Sudan since the outbreak of the civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has faced increasing strain due to the influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing violence in other parts of the country. As conflict has intensified in cities located in Sudan's interior, many civilians have sought refuge in Port Sudan, overwhelming the city's infrastructure and resources.
This dam crisis marks the second major disruption in Red Sea State within a short period. In June, Port Sudan experienced a severe electricity crisis that sparked widespread controversy. The city's power supply was disrupted for extended periods, leading to disruptions in essential services, economic activity, and daily life.
The dam collapse further exacerbates the ongoing flooding crisis in Sudan, which has affected at least 317,000 people and displaced 118,000 this year alone, according to a UN OCHA situation report released on Sunday. The floods have destroyed nearly 27,000 homes and damaged up to 31,240 others. In Kassala town, 190 tents housing approximately 950 displaced people were damaged by the rains. Kassala hosts a major refugee camp known as Shajarab.
Devastating floods struck the towns of Gurer and Merowe in Northern State, Sudan, overnight, destroying at least 40 houses. The exact number of people missing remains unknown, according to local sources who spoke to Sudan War Monitor. In response to the crisis, the Ministry of Education in Northern State announced the suspension of studies until further notice to ensure the safety of students.
“The Ministry of Education in Northern State announces the suspension of all levels of education in the state, effective immediately, due to the heavy rains that have swept across the state. This suspension will remain in effect until further notice, in order to ensure the safety of students,” said the statement this afternoon.
The UN OCHA indicated that Northern and River Nile states have experienced widespread scorpion and snake infestations due to flooding, creating a significant risk to the community due to a shortage of venom serum.
The Arbaat dam, built in 2003, had not been maintained for several years, contributing to its collapse. This neglect can be attributed, in part, to the widespread corruption that has plagued Sudan's government during the 30-year Islamist dictatorship of Omar al-Bashir. Under Bashir's regime, the country's resources were systematically plundered, leaving essential infrastructure, such as the Arbaat dam, in a state of disrepair.
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