Sudan dam collapse reportedly kills over 60 people
In northeastern Sudan, a devastating dam collapse has led to the reported deaths of over 60 people, as the region grapples with severe flooding brought on by relentless rainfall. The Arbaat Dam, situated north of Port Sudan, crumbled under the pressure of floodwaters, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
The Federal Ministry of Health initially reported that the disaster claimed four lives and obliterated homes in its wake. However, local news outlets like Al-Taghyeer and Medameek later reported a significant rise in casualties, with at least 60 people confirmed dead and many others still missing, according to local officials.
The tragedy has left entire communities stranded and isolated. Ali Issa, a local resident, shared with Al Jazeera the harrowing news that several people were trapped in vehicles as floodwaters surged. “There were seven lorries carrying families, elderly, and children,” Issa recounted. “We came to see what had happened but were not able to get to the dam.”
Al Jazeera correspondent Hiba Morgan emphasized the critical role the Arbaat Dam plays in the region, serving as the primary water source for Port Sudan, a city on the Red Sea that has become Sudan's administrative capital amid ongoing conflict. With the dam's collapse, Port Sudan and surrounding areas now face the threat of severe drinking water shortages.
The collapse occurred on Saturday night following heavy rains, but the exact details have been hard to verify due to widespread mobile network outages. Arbaat, located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Port Sudan, is part of a larger network of dams in Sudan designed to manage floodwaters. The dam sits where the two upper branches of the Nile River converge within Sudan.
Sudan has been battling heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding since late June. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the extreme weather has impacted an estimated 317,000 people (56,450 families) across 16 states, with North Darfur, the River Nile, and West Darfur being among the hardest hit.
This catastrophe adds to the existing hardships faced by Sudan, where ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023 has already caused widespread displacement and suffering.
