Catastrophic Dam Collapse in Sudan Kills at Least 60

Summary

• At least 60 dead after Arbat dam collapse in Red Sea state.
• Torrential rains and floods devastate war-torn Sudan, displacing tens of thousands.
• The Arbat dam, crucial for Port Sudan’s water supply, fails due to heavy rainfall.
• Extensive damage reported, with entire villages washed away.
• Ongoing civil war and famine worsen the humanitarian crisis.

In-Depth Analysis

KHARTOUM, August 26, 2024 – Tragedy struck in Sudan as the Arbat dam in Red Sea state collapsed due to heavy rainfall, killing at least 60 people. The death toll is expected to rise as search operations continue in the flood-ravaged region. This catastrophic event adds to the suffering of a nation already torn apart by 16 months of civil war and facing severe famine.

The Arbat Dam Collapse

The Arbat dam, with a capacity of 25 million cubic meters, was the main source of drinking water for Port Sudan, a coastal city where Sudan’s military government is based. The dam’s collapse has not only resulted in the tragic loss of life but has also left the city’s water supply in jeopardy.

Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes as entire farms and villages were swept away downstream. Local resident Ali Issa recounted how people were trapped in seven cars, unable to escape the rising waters. Another resident, Moussa Mohamad Moussa, shared that in one area, “all the houses and everything was swept away.”

Impact on Communication and Rescue Efforts

The heavy rains have caused widespread devastation beyond the immediate area of the dam. A major fiber-optic cable was damaged, leading to a communication outage across large parts of Sudan for the second consecutive day. The Sudanese air force has been deployed to rescue people who sought refuge in the mountains, but efforts are hampered by the extreme weather conditions.

The Director of the Red Sea state’s Water Authority, Omar Issa Tahir, confirmed that the flooding had “wiped out the entire area,” highlighting the scale of the disaster. Army chief Abdul-Fattah al-Burhan visited the affected areas, and the military has urged all federal and state agencies to mobilize resources to assist those in need.

A Nation in Crisis

Sudan has been in turmoil since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese army. The ongoing conflict has forced millions from their homes and led to famine in multiple states. The recent torrential rains and flooding are exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation, with food shortages expected to worsen in the coming weeks.

Conclusion

The collapse of the Arbat dam is one of the worst disasters to hit Sudan in recent memory, compounding the suffering of a nation already crippled by civil war and famine. As rescue operations continue, the focus now shifts to providing urgent assistance to the thousands of displaced people and addressing the looming threat of further food shortages. The international community’s response will be crucial in alleviating the immense human suffering in Sudan.