Over 60 people have been reported dead following the catastrophic collapse of the Arbaat Dam in northeastern Sudan, a region already grappling with severe seasonal flooding.
Located 25 miles north of Port Sudan, the dam burst late Saturday night after being overwhelmed by heavy rainfall, sweeping away homes and leaving entire communities in despair.
The number of missing persons remains unknown, with many feared trapped or swept away by the powerful floodwaters.
According to the United Nations, around 20 villages were obliterated by the flooding, resulting in the destruction or severe damage of homes belonging to approximately 50,000 people.
The number of casualties is expected to rise as rescue operations are slowed down by the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has displaced millions since fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023.
The country has been battered by heavy rains and floods since late June, with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reporting that the harsh weather has affected an estimated 317,000 people across 16 states.
The Ministry of Health announced on Monday that the nationwide death toll from the flooding had risen to 132.
In addition to the immediate dangers posed by the floods, Sudan is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis. A deepening food shortage, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict, is now being compounded by a cholera outbreak linked to the contamination of the water supply by floodwaters.
