Flooding from Sudan dam collapse worsens humanitarian crisis
![Collapsed dam](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_8201.jpeg)
No fewer than 20 villages in eastern Sudan have reportedly been “destroyed”, with 70 impacted overall, after floodwaters burst through a major dam, according to UN humanitarians.
The UN humanitarians said that the situation has added to the suffering of communities already devastated by the ongoing war between rival militaries.
The Arba’at Dam, located around 38 kilometres (24 miles) northwest of Port Sudan, collapsed on Sunday, damaging roads, electricity, and telecommunication networks, making it difficult to assess the situation, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported.
Authorities estimate that around 50,000 people living on the western side of the dam have been severely affected, while the impact on the eastern banks is still being assessed.
Provincial and federal government teams on the ground are working to open roads and conduct search and rescue operations.
“The government delegation reported that about 70 villages around Arba’at Dam have reportedly been affected by the flash flooding of which 20 villages have been destroyed,” OCHA said in a statement on Tuesday.
At least 30 fatalities have been confirmed as of Monday, but the actual number of casualties is feared to be much higher.
Severe damage to infrastructure has also been reported, including the collapse of 84 borehole wells and 70 schools have been fully or partially destroyed.
Over 10,000 livestock are also missing.
The Arba’at Dam is the primary source of freshwater for the key city of Port Sudan.
It handles the majority of the country’s international trade and has been a hub for humanitarian operations since the outbreak of war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which erupted in April last year.
An inter-agency team led by OCHA has been deployed to the impacted areas and is coordinating with partners and authorities to support a full assessment.
Since the onset of the rains in June, floods have wreaked havoc across many parts of Sudan, with the most affected regions being in North and West Darfur, as well as the River Nile states.
Even before the dam collapsed, more than 310,000 people had been impacted by flooding across the country, adding to the misery inflicted by the brutal fighting, now in its seventeenth month.
More than 12 million people have been displaced from their homes, both within Sudan and outside its borders.
The war has also decimated livelihoods and destroyed crops, leading to severe food shortages and now famine in several parts of the country.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
![Katsina State](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/1863B29B-AC06-49E0-ADFA-655BBEC3389A.jpeg)
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
![Juan Izquierdo](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Artboard-1-393.png)
Sport
Footballer collapses, dies on pitch during match
The cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest associated with a cardiac arrhythmia, his club Nacional announced.
![Wang Yilin+China National Petroleum Corporation](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Artboard-1-392.png)
Anti-Corruption
Former China National Petroleum Corporation boss Wang Yilin arrested for bribery
The case of Mr Wang, who is also a former secretary of the leading party members group of the CNPC, was handed over to prosecutors for examination.
![Flutterwave](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Artboard-1-391.png)
Economy
Flutterwave expands African footprint with payment systems licence in Uganda
Flutterwave, a leading payments technology company, has received a payment systems operator licence from the Bank of Uganda.
![Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the chairman of the Ohanaeze Council of Elders](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/images-2022-06-19T183359.945.jpeg)
Politics
Ohanaeze Ndi’gbo leader Iwuanyanwu for burial November 1
The national burial committee announced this in Abuja shortly after its inauguration by Governor Hope Uzodinma.
![Keir Starmer (Credit: X)](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/images-2024-07-05T055653.123.jpeg)
World
Starmer arrives Germany in first visit as British PM
Keir Starmer arrives in Germany on Wednesday for his first visit as Britain’s Prime Minister, seven weeks after taking office.
![Governor Alex Otti and Abia map](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_8211-1200x632.jpeg)
Politics
Abia @33: Governor Otti promises more opportunities for Abians
Abia was created on August 27, 1991, during the military dictatorship of Gen Ibrahim Babangida.