Sudan Reels from Deadly Nile Floods as Blue and White Nile Rivers Overflow

More than 30 people have been killed and thousands displaced as rising Nile waters devastate homes, farmland, and livelihoods across multiple Sudanese states.

Severe flooding in Sudan’s River Nile State has left at least 30 people dead and thousands stranded, as waters from the Blue and White Nile rivers continue to rise. The floods have ravaged communities, sweeping away homes, farmland, and livestock, while worsening the country’s already fragile humanitarian situation.

Residents describe the flooding as one of the worst in recent years, with torrential rains turning entire villages into lakes overnight. “We were surprised by the floodwaters,” said Ramadan Ali, a resident of Nile State. “We were asleep, and at around 1:30 in the morning, the floods arrived. We couldn’t find a way to combat this massive amount of water. Everyone here is suffering right now, honestly.”

Night of Terror for Local Communities

Many families were forced to flee in the middle of the night as water levels surged through their homes and farmlands. Witnesses say they tried to save what they could, but the rapid rise of the Nile made it nearly impossible. Local volunteers have been using boats and makeshift rafts to rescue stranded people and transport supplies, but their efforts are hampered by a shortage of equipment and fuel.

Emergency shelters are overwhelmed, and humanitarian groups warn that the situation could deteriorate further as heavy rains persist across much of central and northern Sudan.

Infrastructure Failures and Human Error

In Abu Hamad locality, residents have blamed poor urban planning for worsening the disaster. “Heavy rains fell, but planning errors by the Abu Hamad locality are the cause of this disaster,” said Abdul Sami Hussein, a local shop owner. “They planned animal pens and shops in the floodwaters, and these people ended up in the floodwaters, and what we see happened.”

Experts have long warned that outdated drainage systems and weak flood defenses leave many communities along the Nile vulnerable to seasonal flooding. Despite repeated calls for investment in flood prevention, little progress has been made due to Sudan’s ongoing political and economic instability.

Other States Also Affected

The flooding has not been confined to River Nile State. Authorities report that Blue Nile, Al Jazirah, and Khartoum have also been severely impacted. In Blue Nile State, roads and bridges have been cut off, isolating villages and delaying the delivery of essential aid.

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The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation recently identified six states — including Gezira and Khartoum as being at high risk of flooding this year. Citizens living in low-lying areas have been urged to relocate where possible, but limited infrastructure and ongoing conflict have made evacuation efforts difficult.

Regional Tensions Emerge Over Nile Waters

As Sudan grapples with the crisis, regional tensions have flared over the source of the Nile’s rising waters. Egypt has accused Ethiopia of contributing to the flooding through the operations of its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile. Cairo claims the recent opening of the dam may have altered the river’s flow and raised water levels downstream.

Ethiopia, however, has denied these allegations, saying that the dam’s reservoir has actually helped mitigate flooding by regulating water flow. Officials in Addis Ababa maintain that their water management policies are responsible and scientifically sound.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

Aid organizations warn that the floods have worsened Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, displacing thousands who were already struggling amid food shortages and political unrest. Health officials fear outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera and malaria, as stagnant water and overcrowded shelters create ideal conditions for infection.

International agencies are calling for urgent assistance, including water pumps, medical supplies, and temporary housing. For now, the people of River Nile State continue to battle nature’s fury with limited support and dwindling hope.

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