At least 12 people have lost their lives due to torrential rains and subsequent flooding that ravaged Kassala State in eastern Sudan, the country’s Health Minister announced on Saturday.
The downpours, which began on Friday, caused widespread damage to homes and infrastructure across the region.
Thousands of displaced persons, already struggling with the aftermath of the ongoing conflict, were particularly hard hit as floodwaters inundated their shelters.
The deluge exacerbated the dire humanitarian situation in the area, where aid agencies are racing to provide assistance.
The Sudanese Meteorological Authority had issued a warning about rising water levels in the Gash River, which flows through the state capital of Kassala.
Residents were advised to exercise caution and avoid the riverbanks.
Flooding is an annual problem in Sudan, typically occurring between June and October.
The past three years have witnessed a surge in flood-related deaths and destruction, with agricultural land bearing the brunt of the devastation.
According to the UN International Organization for Migration, over 7.7 million people have been internally displaced since the fighting began in April, while 2.2 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries.
