In a tragic incident highlighting the devastating impact of extreme weather, the Al Ba’ath Dam in Sudan has collapsed, resulting in the loss of at least 60 lives and leaving many more unaccounted for, according to reports by the BBC and Al Jazeera. The disaster occurred in the recent days, with the region witnessing intense rainfall that has wreaked havoc on the area.
The Red Sea State’s Water Resources Director, Omar Ismail Tahir, painted a grim picture, stating that the floods had devastated the entire region. The Al Ba’ath Dam, a crucial source of fresh water for Port Sudan and its surrounding areas, has now compromised the water supply, potentially leading to a severe shortage of drinking water in the affected communities.
Local media outlets reported that the dam began to give way following heavy rainfall on August 24. The subsequent collapse sent floodwaters surging through the region, causing widespread destruction and endangering lives.
Sudan’s Sovereignty Council Chairman and Chief of the Armed Forces, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, visited the site of the dam to assess the damage and vowed that all government departments would work tirelessly to provide assistance to the affected population. The government’s response is expected to include rescue operations, relief efforts, and the provision of basic necessities for those displaced.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has highlighted that since June 2024, adverse weather conditions have affected over 310,000 people across 16 states in Sudan. The country, already grappling with humanitarian challenges, now faces an additional crisis due to the dam collapse.
This disaster comes amidst a series of weather-related incidents in the region. In neighboring countries, Thailand is battling floods that have claimed 22 lives and left 19 injured, while in Pakistan, Balochistan province witnessed an attack resulting in 23 deaths. These events underscore the increasing vulnerability of communities to the effects of climate change and the need for robust disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.
As rescue efforts continue in Sudan, the international community is expected to play a crucial role in providing aid and support to the affected areas. The collapse of the Al Ba’ath Dam serves as a stark reminder of the importance of infrastructure resilience in the face of extreme weather events and the need for sustainable development strategies that account for the changing climate.
In the coming days, the focus will be on saving lives, providing shelter, and ensuring the basic needs of the affected population are met. The long-term challenge will be to rebuild and fortify infrastructure to prevent similar disasters in the future, as well as addressing the underlying vulnerabilities that make communities more susceptible to the impacts of climate change.
For now, the people of Sudan, already grappling with multiple crises, face the herculean task of recovery and resilience in the wake of this devastating dam collapse. The world’s attention is on the region, and support is crucial to alleviate the suffering and rebuild shattered lives.
【source】http://www.chinanews.com/gj/2024/08-27/10275107.shtml
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