Khartoum, Aug 28: A devastating flood surge has caused the Arbaat dam in eastern Sudan to collapse, obliterating at least 20 villages and resulting in the deaths of at least 30 people, with the toll likely higher, according to the UN. The disaster has struck a region already grappling with months of civil conflict.
Heavy rains overwhelmed the Arbaat dam, located approximately 25 miles north of Port Sudan, the de facto national capital. This city, already housing a significant number of displaced individuals and crucial aid operations, now faces additional strife. Omar Eissa Haroun, head of the water authority for Red Sea state, described the scene as “unrecognizable” and reported extensive damage to infrastructure, including electricity and water systems.
Initial reports suggest that between 150 and 200 people are missing. Eyewitnesses have described scenes of destruction reminiscent of the catastrophic floods in Derna, Libya, last year. The floodwaters have wreaked havoc on the area, submerging homes and causing extensive damage.
The Arbaat dam was a vital water source for Port Sudan, which is pivotal for the country’s aid distribution and contains Sudan’s primary Red Sea port and airport. The dam’s structural integrity had already been compromised before the rains due to silt buildup and years of neglect exacerbated by the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which began in April 2023.
The collapse of the dam has left around 50,000 people affected west of the dam, with the eastern area still inaccessible due to the severity of the floods. Many displaced individuals have sought refuge in the mountains, though they remain stranded without support.
The government’s rainy season task force reported that flooding has claimed 132 lives nationwide, a sharp increase from 68 reported two weeks ago. Additionally, over 118,000 people have been displaced this year alone due to severe weather conditions, according to UN agencies.