The death toll from recent floods in Sudan has risen to 148, with 246 people injured across 11 states, the National Council for Civil Defence reported on Wednesday. Persistent heavy rains continue to cause widespread devastation, complicating rescue and relief operations.
The hardest-hit regions include River Nile state, which has reported 59 fatalities, Northern state with 31, and Red Sea state with 16, according to Major General Qureshi Hussein, a spokesperson for the civil defence.
Floodwaters have destroyed roads and bridges, including critical routes such as the Haya-Atbara and Merowe-Dongola highways, severely disrupting transportation and access to the affected areas. This infrastructure damage has hampered efforts to deliver aid to those in need.
The civil defence has been actively involved in evacuating residents, as well as providing displaced people with shelter, food, and other essential supplies. Major General Hussein dismissed reports that deep water in the Arba’at Dam area was hindering the recovery of bodies, stating that trained divers and necessary equipment are already deployed on the ground.
Despite ongoing efforts to stabilize the situation in the Arba’at Dam and Tokar areas, the arrival of more floodwaters from the Cooper Dolabiyai region has submerged additional neighborhoods, further escalating the crisis.
With key roads cut off, delivering aid by land has become impossible, leading to urgent calls for airdrops of food, medicine, and shelter to the affected populations.
“The situation in these areas is critical,” warned Major General Hussein, highlighting the dire need for immediate assistance.
