Sudan Issues 'Red Alert' for Nile Floods in Five Provinces Amid Rising Water Levels

Sudan Declares Flood 'Red Alert'

The Sudanese irrigation ministry has issued a 'red alert' warning of potential floods across five provinces situated along the Nile River. The warning, initially released on Sunday, September 28, 2025, remained in effect on Monday, September 29, 2025. This critical alert comes as water levels in the Nile's primary tributaries, the Blue Nile and White Nile, continue to rise significantly.

Affected Regions and Call for Caution

The provinces urged to exercise extreme caution are Khartoum, River Nile, White Nile, Sennar, and Blue Nile. Residents in these areas have been advised to take precautions, as the escalating water levels pose a threat to both agricultural lands and residential properties. Reports indicate that some farmers in the River Nile province have already been compelled to sell their onion crops prematurely due to flooding in lowland areas, which could impact farming. The ministry noted that water flow has been high for four consecutive days, partly due to dams in the region discharging excess water, though levels are expected to decrease throughout the week.

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and Regional Tensions

The current flood risk has been linked by some experts to the management of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Professor Abbas Sharaky, a Professor of Geology and Water Resources at Cairo University, described the situation as a 'man-made error'. He suggested that the GERD was not emptied gradually after storing water during Ethiopia's rainy season (June to August), and that a failure of four turbines meant to regulate the dam's reservoir prevented the release of excess water. This, he argues, has exacerbated the flood risk in Sudan, particularly as the harvest season is nearing its end, making the situation 'more harm than good'. Conversely, Ethiopian Water Minister Habtamu Itefa Geleta has maintained that the GERD has helped reduce flooding by storing water during the rainy season.

Recurring Flood Impact and Humanitarian Concerns

Flooding is a recurring seasonal challenge in Sudan, with heavy rains upstream often leading to sudden rises in Nile water levels. These events frequently cause significant damage to infrastructure, displace communities, and increase the risk of water-borne diseases. In previous years, floods have affected hundreds of thousands of people, destroying or damaging tens of thousands of homes. For instance, in 2024, an estimated 491,100 people were affected across 15 states, with 69 fatalities and over 35,500 homes destroyed. The ongoing conflict in Sudan further complicates humanitarian efforts and exacerbates the vulnerability of affected populations.