Recent reports from the United Nations's emergency relief agency have confirmed a devastating incident in Sudan's northwest Red Sea State. The collapse of the Arba’at Dam has resulted in the loss of at least 30 lives, with hundreds more individuals feared missing in the aftermath of the disaster.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), flash flooding caused by the dam breach has caused extensive damage to 20 villages and affected an additional 50. The total number of people severely impacted by the catastrophe is estimated to be around 50,000.
Residents in the villages of Khor-Baraka and Tukar were forced to evacuate as the floodwaters surged through their communities. Local officials have expressed concerns that the final death toll could rise significantly as search and rescue efforts continue.
Eye-witness accounts from survivors near the dam paint a grim picture of the events that unfolded. One resident, Moussa Mohamad Moussa, recounted how the rushing waters swept away numerous individuals in the Tabub area, destroying homes and belongings in its path.
Initial assessments suggest that heavy rainfall led to the dam's breach, resulting in the complete drainage of the reservoir it held. The Arba’at Dam played a crucial role in supplying fresh water to Port Sudan, a major city in the region.
The humanitarian situation in Red Sea State is expected to deteriorate further following this tragic incident. Aid agencies have been warning of the fragile state of Sudan, which has been grappling with civil unrest and food insecurity for over a year.
Efforts are underway to provide emergency assistance to those affected by the disaster. Sudan's Federal Minister of Health has pledged support in the form of medical supplies, personnel, and resources for evacuation operations.
Meanwhile, the Sudanese Armed Forces and local authorities are collaborating to address the challenges posed by the dam collapse. The region surrounding the Arba’at Dam, which already hosts a significant number of displaced individuals, faces an uphill battle in the wake of this calamity.
As relief efforts intensify, organizations like the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund and WASH Cluster are working closely with OCHA and local partners to reach out to the affected communities and provide much-needed assistance.
