Deadly Sudan floods claim 60 lives, affect 150,000
by Agency Staff, August 12 2013, 18:29
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THE number of people affected by this month’s flooding in Sudan has climbed to about 150,000 and is expected to rise further, the United Nations said on Monday.
More than half the victims, 84,000, are in the area around the capital, Khartoum, said the UN’s Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The floods have killed at least 60 people in Sudan, local newspapers reported on Monday.
"More rains are expected in the coming days and the estimated number of affected people is likely to rise further as rains continue and as more information becomes available," OCHA said in a press release.
The UN body’s latest estimate follows intense rains on Friday night and is based on information from the Sudanese Red Crescent Society and other agencies.
Heavy rains and flash floods began on August 1, initially affecting almost 100,000 people in several states.
At least 26,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed, according to initial estimates cited by OCHA.
Official Radio Omdurman reported on Sunday that the flooding killed 36 people in Nile state north of the capital.
The UN and other agencies have provided aid including tents, plastic sheeting and drinking water, OCHA said.
A volunteer youth group, Nafeer, said on Monday it had found 150 families "trapped" in the Al-Nizeila area on Khartoum’s outskirts.
According to local media, 36 people died in Sudan’s northern River Nile state, while in Khartoum 24 people were reported dead.
This year’s flooding is the worst in the capital region in years but water surges in rural areas of Sudan between June and October last year affected about 270,000 people and damaged more than 36,000 homes, according to figures cited by the UN.
Sapa-AFP, Sapa-dpa
More than half the victims, 84,000, are in the area around the capital, Khartoum, said the UN’s Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The floods have killed at least 60 people in Sudan, local newspapers reported on Monday.
"More rains are expected in the coming days and the estimated number of affected people is likely to rise further as rains continue and as more information becomes available," OCHA said in a press release.
The UN body’s latest estimate follows intense rains on Friday night and is based on information from the Sudanese Red Crescent Society and other agencies.
Heavy rains and flash floods began on August 1, initially affecting almost 100,000 people in several states.
At least 26,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed, according to initial estimates cited by OCHA.
Official Radio Omdurman reported on Sunday that the flooding killed 36 people in Nile state north of the capital.
The UN and other agencies have provided aid including tents, plastic sheeting and drinking water, OCHA said.
A volunteer youth group, Nafeer, said on Monday it had found 150 families "trapped" in the Al-Nizeila area on Khartoum’s outskirts.
According to local media, 36 people died in Sudan’s northern River Nile state, while in Khartoum 24 people were reported dead.
This year’s flooding is the worst in the capital region in years but water surges in rural areas of Sudan between June and October last year affected about 270,000 people and damaged more than 36,000 homes, according to figures cited by the UN.
Sapa-AFP, Sapa-dpa