Sudan: Floods Destroy Villages, Kill More Than 100 People

Torrential rains over the past few weeks in Sudan has caused severe flooding in the country and has cost the lives of hundreds of people.

Sudanese officials have said that thousands of people have fled their homes in villages close to the Gash river. The Gash river burst its banks after torrential rains have been pouring down on the country for more than 2 weeks.

The officials also said that dozens of people sheltered in grass huts to cling to safety, after the flood cut off the main highway from the eastern part of the country (which had been hit hardest) and the capital of Khartoum.

The floods also caused a shortage of food, medicine and fresh drinking water. An AFP photographer who has been documenting the floods in the country said that people – including children – resorted to drinking muddy water.

Locals who have fled the floods and are relying on relief support, said that they are barely surviving on one meal a day and that those who are ill are not receiving the medical attention that they need.

“…We are eating just one meal a day. Children are falling sick and doctors are miles away…[sic] We had no time. We simply fled, taking our children when our village was flooded in the night two weeks ago,”  Taha Mahmoud, Chief of the Makli village in Kasala told reporters.

He continued saying that they are currently living in horrible conditions and that the huts they are sheltering in currently is not able to withstand the constant downpour of torrential rain:

“…We lost all our food, belongings and livestock. We’re living in miserable conditions in makeshift huts that won’t withstand heavy rains,” he said.

According to the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, more than 8000 homes have been destroyed because of the floods and more than 100 people have died.

This is the worst flooding to have hit the country in 25 years.