Dam collapse sweeps away 20 villages in Sudan, displaces thousands

ANKARA

The collapse of a dam in eastern Sudan after heavy torrential rainfalls has swept away at least 20 villages, killing scores, according to local media.

The Arbat Dam, which contains a reservoir that is a primary source of fresh water, collapsed in the city of Port Sudan on Monday after months of seasonal rains.

The UN Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Tuesday that nearly 27,000 homes have been destroyed and up to 31,240 homes damaged by the heavy rains.

Over 317,000 people have also been affected by the floods and heavy rains across Sudan, including the displacement of some 118,000 people.

“Preliminary reports indicate the breach resulted in the dam reservoir being fully drained, causing extensive damage to life and property in about 20 villages downstream,” it added.

Sudanese authorities said that the dam collapse and heavy floods in the country have killed at least 132 people.

Authorities estimate that around 50,000 people living on the western side of the dam have been severely affected, while the extent of the impact on the eastern banks is still being assessed.

The dam was constructed in 2003 to capture rainwater for use during the dry season. However, it has not undergone regular maintenance for several years.

Sudan has been mired by fighting between the army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who is the head of the ruling Sovereign Council, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

At least 12,260 people have been killed and more than 33,000 injured in the conflict that started in April 2023, according to UN figures.

A humanitarian crisis continues to worsen as nearly 6.8 million people have fled their homes seeking safety in Sudan or neighboring countries.

Several cease-fire agreements brokered by Saudi Arabia and US mediators have failed to end the violence.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar