17 Dead in Heavy Rains in Sudan

Heavy rains in Abu Hamad, a town in northeastern Sudan, have resulted in the deaths of 17 people and the collapse of thousands of homes, amid ongoing conflict that has ravaged the region for nearly 16 months, according to a medical source reported by AFP on Tuesday.

The source, a healthcare professional at Abu Hamad Hospital, confirmed that 17 individuals perished when their home collapsed due to the downpour. "

Many injured people are still arriving at the hospital," he added, highlighting the severity of the situation in this small town located in Nile State, approximately 400 kilometers north of Khartoum.

Eyewitnesses reached by AFP via phone described extensive damage: "The heavy rains have caused most houses to collapse, and all market shops have been destroyed," said one witness.

Sudan typically experiences heavy rainfall between May and October, a period marked by severe flooding that damages homes, infrastructure, and crops. 

Last week, torrential rains led to five fatalities in Port Sudan, on the eastern coast.

The Sudanese Federal Emergency Operations Center reported on Tuesday that since July 7, heavy rains and subsequent flooding have claimed 32 lives across seven of the country’s 18 states.

In addition to the deaths, dozens have been injured and over 5,000 homes have been damaged.

According to the United Nations, these extreme weather events have displaced more than 21,000 people since June, most of whom are in areas already suffering from intense conflict.

As the rainy season approaches, humanitarian organizations warn that heavy rains and flooding will likely isolate entire regions, exacerbating the crisis.

Each year, numerous lives are lost, directly or indirectly, due to diseases associated with moisture and flooding.

This year, the potential for extensive damage is particularly high, following nearly 16 months of war that have devastated infrastructure and forced millions into flood-prone areas.