Half a milllion affected by Sudan floods: UN

The effect of Sudan's floods has widened, the United Nations says, with more than half a million people affected by this month's inundations.

KHARTOUM // The effect of Sudan's floods has widened, the United Nations said yesterday, with more than half a million people affected by this month's inundations.

"An estimated 574,540 people have been affected," the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said, citing government figures.

The number of flood victims has risen as more rains come down and new information becomes available.

About 50 people have died from the heavy rains and floods, according to the government.

Khartoum and its surrounding region is worst-hit, with more than 180,000 people affected, the UN said, describing flooding in the capital as the worst in 25 years.

But figures cited by the UN show that almost every other state has also been struck.

War-torn Blue Nile is among the worst, with more than 125,000 people affected there.

The state-linked Sudanese Media Centre reported that heavy rains hit Blue Nile state on Monday.

On Saturday, dirt roads in southern Khartoum's Soba neighbourhood were still flooded, making access difficult.

There is also concern about the Blue Nile river which has already overflowed its eastern bank and washed over farmland on the capital's east side.