Sudan: Heavy rain and flooding across the country

Event

Heavy rains and floods have been reported in several parts of the country as of Wednesday, July 25. At least seven people have been killed and three others reported missing in the northern and northeastern neighborhoods of the town of Al-Nuhood (West Kordofan state), where between 1500 to 2000 houses were destroyed. In North Kordofan, flood waters has reportedly blocked the main road linking the state with the Sudanese capital Khartoum.

Furthermore, in the town of Kassala (Kassala state; eastern Sudan), flooding was reported in several neighborhoods on Monday, killing three people and destroying at least 500 houses. Heavy rain and associated traffic disruptions were also reported in Khartoum state on Tuesday.

The Sudan's Meteorological Authority has warned of moderate to heavy rains and strong winds for Wednesday in Kassala, Geddarif, Khartoum, Nahral-Neel, Sinnar, Gezira, White Nile, Kordofan, and the Darfur states.

Context

In Sudan, the rainy season typically lasts from June to September/October, and often leads to widespread and persistent flooding. Sudan also suffers from underdeveloped infrastructure, especially in rural areas, which makes it harder to respond to natural disasters effectively.

Advice

Individuals present in Sudan are advised to follow all instructions issued by local authorities (e.g. possible evacuation orders), allow additional time to travel, and monitor the situation via local media and weather reporting outlets. Please be advised that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous; 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock an adult over.