At least 38 people killed in heavy rains across Sudan

August 3, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The floods and rains that hit different areas in Sudan over the past two days have lead to the death of at least 38 people and injured dozens amid widespread anger over what is perceived as an inadequate government response.

The pro-government al-Sudani newspaper said that the deaths were due to drowning, house collapses and electric shocks that resulted from the floods and rain particularly in the localities of East Nile, Khartoum, Karari and Ombadda; all of which are part of the capital Khartoum.

The governor of Khartoum Abdulrahman al-Khidir toured his state by helicopter to inspect the damage especially in the East Nile locality.

Meanwhile, hundreds of protestors demonstrated in Sudan’s twin capital of Omdurman at the “Libya Market” area to decry the failure of the government to deal with the heavy rains and floods with some calling for the toppling the regime and others demanding punishment of those responsible for the deterioration of basic services.

But anti-riot police forces surrounded the “Libya Market” and attacked the protesters with batons and tear gas. They also arrested a number of demonstrators.

Rains and floods also swept through large areas of Wadi Halfa and Merowe localities in north Sudan which led to the collapse of more than 200 houses there

In the River Nile state the Civil Defense Council announced that preliminary figures show the death of 10 people and the collapse of 1,200 homes with partial damage to 500 others.

The Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir phoned the River Nile state governor to review the situation in the wake of the floods. He urged the local government to exert more efforts to overcome the worst rains since the 1988 mass floods.

(ST)