/ 27 August 2001

NILE FLOODS DESTROY HOMES

NILE floods in Sudan have destroyed hundreds of homes and left thousands of families homeless this flood season. The worst affected area was River Nile State in northern Sudan where 1 102 families were left without shelter when floods tore down 577 homes in 55 villages and partially damaged 811 others, the civil defence report said. The official estimates only covered damage up to August 21, since when flooding has reportedly drowned islands and destroyed more land and homes, leaving thousands more homeless. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) warned on Wednesday that the flooding has displaced tens of thousands of people and destroyed crops, aggravating already precarious food supplies. – AFP