A catastrophic dam collapse in Eastern Sudan, triggered by heavy rains, has resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people, local authorities reported on Monday.
The Arbaat Dam, located 40 kilometers north of Port Sudan, was severely damaged during torrential rains, leading to the destruction of approximately 20 villages. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the actual death toll may be higher, with around 70 villages affected by the flash floods.
In the areas west of the dam, flooding has destroyed or damaged the homes of 50,000 people, accounting for roughly 77% of the local population. OCHA has emphasized the urgent need for food, water, and shelter for those affected.
The flooding also caused the collapse of more than 80 boreholes, left 10,000 livestock missing, and damaged or destroyed 70 schools, according to local authorities. Heavy rain and flooding across Sudan this month have impacted over 317,000 people, with 118,000 displaced, exacerbating one of the world’s largest displacement crises due to ongoing conflict in the country.
Humanitarian officials fear the casualty numbers could rise, considering many individuals are still missing or displaced. Some residents have reportedly fled to the mountains for safety, while others have been evacuated.
The impact on the eastern banks of the dam is still being assessed, as road access has been cut off. Local rescue teams are working to reopen these routes. An inter-agency team led by OCHA has been deployed to the affected areas to coordinate with partners and authorities, assess the damage, and determine the most urgent humanitarian needs.
The damage to the Arbaat Dam is expected to have broader implications, as it is a primary source of fresh water for Port Sudan, affecting water supplies in the region. Since the onset of the rains in June, floods have devastated many parts of Sudan, particularly in North and West Darfur and the River Nile states.
Before the dam’s collapse on Sunday, over 310,000 people had already been affected by flooding across the country, which continues to grapple with ongoing conflict.
