Sudan floods displace nearly 1,000 families in North Darfur

Severe flooding triggered by heavy rainfall has displaced 975 families and destroyed or damaged 1,348 homes across several communities in North Darfur state, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported Thursday. The floods struck Tawila town and the surrounding villages of Masal, Marar, Katur, and Tabsa on Wednesday, with IOM field teams documenting 975 homes completely leveled and an additional 373 partially damaged. Displaced families have sought refuge in open areas within the same locality, lacking adequate shelter or access to basic services.

Compounding Humanitarian Crisis

The latest flooding comes just a day after the IOM reported that heavy rains and flash floods had already destroyed 108 homes and displaced dozens of families in the North Darfur towns of Kabkabiya and Shangil Tobaya. Sudan's annual rainy season, which runs from June through October, routinely triggers widespread flooding across large swathes of the country. However, this year's deluge is hitting communities already devastated by nearly two years of war between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced some 15 million people, according to UN and local estimates.

War and Weather Compound Suffering

Civilians in North Darfur now find themselves caught between the twin catastrophes of violent conflict and extreme weather. The destruction of homes and infrastructure has further strained relief efforts in a region where humanitarian access remains severely limited due to ongoing hostilities. The IOM has called for urgent assistance as displaced families remain exposed to the elements, with the rainy season expected to continue for weeks, threatening additional flash floods and exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation across western Sudan.