Sudan warns of floods as Nile water level surges

KHARTOUM — Sudan on Monday warned Khartoum residents along the Nile of likely “massive floods” as water levels of the river rose to a record high following heavy rains in neighbouring Ethiopia.

The Blue Nile flowing to Sudan from Ethiopia converges with the White Nile in Khartoum, and from there they become the Nile which runs through the country into Egypt.

Almost 75 percent of the water in the Nile is brought by the Blue Nile, which swells every year during the rainy season in Ethiopia.

“Water levels of Blue Nile and the Nile are rising, and today the level of the Nile reached its highest in 100 years in Khartoum,” the irrigation ministry said in a statement.

“The water level touched 17.14 metres in Khartoum, and is expected to rise more.”

Residents living along the Nile have to exercise caution in Khartoum and other states as “massive floods” are expected in the next two days, the ministry said.

Every year, Sudan battles heavy floods, and a downpour in August 2013 was the worst to hit Khartoum in 25 years, killing about 50 people in the capital. — AFP

“People we know and live with have now confessed to having eaten this woman”.

“This has happened within our community. Families, people we know and live with have now confessed to eating this woman,” he said.

He added that community members had also allegedly confessed to digging up graves under Mbatha’s orders, and giving Mbatha the bones.

Majola said the community had said at the meeting that the inyanga had told them that digging up the graves would make them strong and protect them from harm and that bringing him the bones would bring them wealth in the future.

Colonel Mbhele said that the provincial Occult-Related Crime Unit was investigating the matter.

She said police could not comment further on the matter, due to the sensitivity of the case. — Sapa