At Least 6 Killed in Flooding Triggered by Heavy Rain in Sudan

Flooding in Sudan. (Reuters file photo)
Flooding in Sudan. (Reuters file photo)
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At Least 6 Killed in Flooding Triggered by Heavy Rain in Sudan

Flooding in Sudan. (Reuters file photo)
Flooding in Sudan. (Reuters file photo)

At least six people were killed Tuesday in flooding triggered by heavy rain in the Sudanese capital Khartoum and elsewhere in the country, said state-run news agency SUNA.

SUNA news agency said at least five people, including two children, were killed when rains destroyed their house in the village of Rifaa in central Jazeera province.

Another two children were injured, the report added.

In the nearby village of Zarqa, at least 15 houses were destroyed, and at least one person died, the agency said.

Power outages have also hit several areas in Jazeera province, SUNA reported.

In Khartoum, the Sudanese Professionals' Association said rains over the weekend caused floods that destroyed or damaged more than 1,300 homes on the southern outskirts of the city, where the White and Blue Nile rivers meet.

The SPA said the flooding could lead to epidemic diseases and overwhelm sanitation services.

Footage circulated online showed flood waters cutting off roads and sweeping away houses and people's belongings. Large swathes of agricultural land in the area were also flooded.

The military deployed troops to help people deal with the flooding. The Health Ministry said at least 12 provinces have been affected by torrential rains since earlier this month.



Germany's Merz says Gaza Aid Airdrops Could Start as Soon as Wednesday

A Palestinian carries a bag with aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, July 27. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
A Palestinian carries a bag with aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, July 27. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
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Germany's Merz says Gaza Aid Airdrops Could Start as Soon as Wednesday

A Palestinian carries a bag with aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, July 27. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
A Palestinian carries a bag with aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, July 27. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that two of the country's aircraft could fly aid airdrop missions from Jordan to Gaza as soon as Wednesday, calling the help a small but important signal, Reuters reported.

 

"This work may only make a small contribution to humanitarian aid, but it sends an important signal: We are here, we are in the region," said Merz at a press conference alongside Jordan's King Abdullah in Berlin.

 

Two A400M aircraft were on their way to Jordan at the moment, where they would refuel and then fly their aid mission at the weekend at the latest, in coordination with France and Germany, said Merz.

 

Merz also welcomed initial steps taken by Israel to allow in aid but said more must follow.