The Arbaat Dam in the eastern Red Sea state of Sudan has collapsed due to heavy rainfall and resulted in the death of at least 30 people, according to Reuters. The collapse led to severe flooding that affected nearby homes and caused damage to at least 20 villages. Local media reports suggest that dozens of people have also gone missing. Omar Eissa Haroun, the head of the water authority for the Red Sea state, reported that the affected area is now unrecognizable, with extensive damage to electricity and water infrastructure.
Sudan dam collapse: Heavy damage to life and infrastructure
The United Nations has indicated that approximately 50,000 people have been impacted by the flooding. Though this figure only accounts for the west area of the dam, as the eastern region remains inaccessible. In a statement released late Sunday, the Health Ministry noted that many people are still missing due to the floods. Sudanese news site Al-Tagheer suggests that the death toll could be around 60.
Local media reported that the dam collapsed on Saturday night as a result of the heavy rains. The flooding caused a mobile network outage, making it difficult to gather information about the situation.
According to the Sudanese news outlet Medameek, many villagers have sought refuge on rocky hilltops to escape the rising waters. The dam, located 40 km north of Port Sudan, was crucial for supplying drinking water to the city. Many officials and civilians are currently based in Port Sudan rather than the capital, Khartoum, due to the ongoing conflict that began in April 2023.
Military Response to Sudan dam collapse
The country, embroiled in conflict between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, is facing a severe humanitarian crisis. In response, a top military general, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, traveled to the Red Sea province on Sunday. A video posted on social media by the military showed Gen. Burhan walking through muddy areas and floodwaters, meeting with first responders.
Dams in Sudan are crucial for managing seasonal rains in the country’s predominantly desert climate. However, seasonal floods have severely damaged critical infrastructure, worsening the crisis. Government reports indicate that over the past two months, more than 130 people have died due to flooding, which has affected large areas across the country. Additionally, over 23,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed.
(With agency inputs)