Nile floods surround seven areas in Sudan’s capital

October 1, 2025 (KHARTOUM) – Floodwaters from the swollen Nile River have surrounded at least seven areas in Sudan’s capital Khartoum, authorities said on Wednesday, while residents reported that locally-built levees were collapsing and water was entering neighbourhoods.

Major General Qurashi Hussein of the Civil Defence told local media the situation was “under control”, with official posts monitoring the river around the clock. He named several at-risk areas ringing the capital, including Tuti Island at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile.

But activists and local committees reported a more severe situation. In the northern town of Wadi Halfa, an emergency committee urged residents along the river to evacuate low-lying areas, warning that Lake Nubia had reached “record highs”.

Posts from volunteers on social media showed collapsed earth barriers and water flowing into streets in several locations.

Sudan’s Ministry of Irrigation blamed the rising levels on a combination of factors on Tuesday, including the recent discharge of water from Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD), climate change, and irregular rainfall.

The states of Blue Nile, Sennar, Gezira, White Nile, and Khartoum are considered most at risk, according to the Civil Defence.

Sudan’s infrastructure, including dams and embankments, is ill-equipped to handle the annual rainy season. Much of it has been damaged or has fallen into disrepair during the country’s ongoing conflict, heightening the risk to civilians.