UN: Situation in Sudan could deteriorate if flooding continues
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KHARTOUM, Sudan: The United Nations warned Monday that if the flooding in Sudan continues, the situation could "deteriorate considerably."
The flooding so far has killed at least 64 people, injured 335 and destroyed more than 30,000 homes, according to the U.N. At least 365,000 people have been affected since the torrential rains started four weeks ago.
"If current flooding patterns continue unabated, the situation will deteriorate considerably," David Gressly, acting U.N. resident and humanitarian coordinator in the country, said in a written statement.
The rains are expected to continue until at least mid-September, the U.N. said. The areas worst affected include the capital, Khartoum, where the White and Blue Niles meet to form Africa's largest river. Also affected are the states of Kassala, Northern Kordofan, Unity and the Upper Nile.
The U.N. also warned of that lack of clean water could increase the risk of waterborne epidemics. More than 630 cases of suspected acute watery diarrhea have been reported in Kassala and Gedaref, causing 39 deaths, it said.
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The U.N. said about 500,000 people without access to clean water have been given water purification products and hygiene education. In Kassala, near Sudan's border with Eritrea, tankers also have been delivering clean water to affected areas.
