Sudan warns of massive floods as Nile rises to record levels

The residents of Khartoum living alongside the River Nile have been warned of the likelihood of “massive floods” as water levels rise following heavy rains in neighbouring Ethiopia, the Sudanese irrigation ministry revealed on Monday. The water is already at a record level.

“The water levels of the Blue Nile and the Nile are rising,” explained the ministry. “Today the level of the Nile reached its highest in 100 years in Khartoum, with the water touching 17.14 metres (56 feet) in Khartoum. It is expected to rise more.”

Local residents have been told to exercise caution over the next few days. Almost 75 per cent of the water in the Nile is brought by the Blue Nile, which swells every year during the rainy season in Ethiopia. The Blue Nile meets the White Nile in Khartoum, where they join to become the Nile, which then runs north through Sudan and into Egypt.

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Sudan battles heavy floods every year. A downpour and consequent flooding in August 2013 was the worst to hit Khartoum in 25 years, and killed about 50 people in the capital. Around 100 people were killed in Sudan last year when torrential rains destroyed thousands of houses and swamped several villages.