Al-Yurae – Sudanese authorities issued urgent warnings on Saturday, September 27, 2025, of the possibility of large-scale flooding along the banks of the Nile River and its tributaries, following unprecedented rises in the levels of both the White Nile and the Blue Nile. The Ministry of Irrigation and the General Directorate of Nile Water Affairs declared a state of “maximum danger” and raised a red alert in anticipation of severe flooding.
In an official statement, the Directorate reported that water flow from the Blue Nile had exceeded 750 million cubic meters per day, a rate posing a direct threat to towns and villages along the river, while also increasing the likelihood of submerging farmlands, valleys, and low-lying areas. The warnings coincided with forecasts issued by the Ethiopian Meteorological Institute predicting heavy rains over the Ethiopian highlands through September 29, a development expected to increase water inflows into Sudan.
According to Sudan’s official news agency, SUNA, the Early Warning Unit at the Ministry of Irrigation, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture, issued a joint alert covering the states of White Nile, Khartoum, and River Nile. Citizens were urged to avoid low-lying areas and move their belongings to safer high ground. They were also advised to safeguard crops, livestock, important documents, food supplies, and drinking water in waterproof, tightly sealed containers. The authorities further warned against the danger of floodwaters coming into contact with power lines, which could cause fatal electrocutions.
In a separate report, the Sudanese Meteorological Authority forecast varying intensities of rainfall across several states, noting that southern and northern Kordofan were expected to experience heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms, while rainfall in eastern, northern, central, and southern parts of the country would range from moderate to light. These weather forecasts were seen as complicating an already critical hydrological situation, placing further strain on local authorities tasked with managing the crisis.
The Ministry of Irrigation also reported significant rises in water levels of the Blue Nile at multiple monitoring stations, including Khartoum, Shendi, Atbara, Berber, and Jebel Aulia. On Saturday, the historic Sennar Dam registered its highest water levels since the start of the rainy season, reducing its capacity to absorb any further influx of water. This development comes amid continuing heavy rainfall over the Ethiopian highlands—the primary source of the Blue Nile—raising further fears of uncontrolled flooding.
Authorities stressed that the current situation represents a critical test of the state’s ability to manage its water resources under the pressures of climate change. They called for wide-ranging cooperation between government agencies and local communities to minimize risks, protect lives, and safeguard property ahead of the expected peak flooding in the coming days.
