Tragedy in Sudan: Dam collapse leaves dozens missing, feared dead

In a catastrophic turn of events, the Arbaat dam in Sudan’s eastern Red Sea state collapsed, resulting in the disappearance of dozens of residents. The dam’s failure, which occurred on the night of August 25, 2024, has led to widespread devastation, with floodwaters sweeping through homes and leaving many stranded in remote areas. This disaster compounds the suffering already faced by a nation embroiled in a brutal civil conflict.

Dam collapse amid Sudan’s civil strife

The collapse of the Arbaat dam, located approximately 40 kilometers north of Port Sudan, has sent shockwaves through a region already struggling under the weight of conflict. This dam was a crucial source of drinking water for the nearby city, and its destruction has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis gripping the country. Local reports indicate that at least four people have been confirmed dead, while the fate of more than 100 others remains uncertain.

The heavy rainfall that led to the dam’s collapse has further complicated an already dire situation. The ongoing war, which began in April 2023 between Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has devastated civilian infrastructure, leaving the nation ill-equipped to handle such natural disasters. As a result, the people of Sudan are left to fend for themselves in the face of overwhelming odds.

Search for the missing intensifies

Authorities have scrambled to respond to the disaster, with Sudan’s top military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, visiting the affected region to assess the damage and coordinate relief efforts. However, the scale of the disaster, coupled with the ongoing conflict, has made it difficult for rescue operations to reach all those in need. Reports from local media suggest that many residents have fled to rocky outcrops in a desperate bid to escape the rising waters, while others remain unaccounted for.

The collapse of the dam also threatens to worsen the ongoing cholera outbreak in Sudan, which has already claimed at least 28 lives. The World Health Organization has initiated a vaccination campaign in the region, but the flooding has raised concerns about the potential spread of the disease, further endangering an already vulnerable population.

Expert opinion: Infrastructure woes exacerbate crisis

Experts have long warned that Sudan’s aging infrastructure is ill-prepared for the challenges posed by climate change and ongoing conflict. Dr. Amr Eissa Taher, a leading expert on water resources in the region, noted that the collapse of the Arbaat dam was a tragedy waiting to happen. He emphasized that the failure to maintain and upgrade critical infrastructure has left Sudanese citizens at the mercy of natural disasters, with devastating consequences.

Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, already one of the worst in the world, has now been compounded by this latest disaster. With over 10.7 million people displaced by conflict, and the added threats of disease and natural calamities, the situation in Sudan is a stark reminder of the need for urgent international assistance.