Khartoum [Sudan], August 21: The death toll from recent heavy rains and floods in Sudan has climbed to 79, the country's National Council for Civil Defense announced on Saturday.
The number of injuries stood at 30, and "tens of thousands of homes have been damaged, particularly in central Sudan's Gezira State, with over 35, 000 homes completely or partially collapsed," the council said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the council held an emergency meeting to sort out all available accommodating materials and promptly distribute them to the most affected states, including River Nile, Gezira, Kassala and Sinnar.
The Sudanese Meteorological Authority meanwhile warned against unprecedented rains in most states across the country in upcoming months, urging the citizens to take precautions, particularly those living in low areas which are susceptible to floods.
The Sudanese army has sent troops and rescue equipment including helicopters and boats to support local search and evacuation operations in the Al-Manaqil area in the Gezira State, said an army statement.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, nearly 136,000 Sudanese people have been affected by the floods and heavy rains in the country since June.
Sudan often witnesses floods caused by heavy rains from June to October.
Source: Xinhua