The Sudanese Federal Plant Protection Administration has announced the appearance of the autumn cluster worm* in South Kordofan and described the worm as a threat to food security in the state.

Farmers told Radio Dabanga that the worm has appeared in Rashad, Dalami, and the areas adjacent to Habila agricultural projects.

They pointed out that the worm affects the stalks of sorghum and maize and is difficult to fight with pesticides.

Thousands of people still live in the open Kassala state after floods and rains caused the collapse of homes and buildings, days ahead of Eid El Adha. “My children asked me how our relatives can possibly visit us for the feast.”

Floods in Kassala have caused the destruction of 1,990 houses and the partial collapse of 2,992 houses, mostly in the town districts of Makram, Kadugli, El Nour, in the northern state localities and around the Atbara river.

The Sudanese capital of Khartoum, at the confluence of the White and Blue Nile, experienced torrential rains that lasted for several hours, causing extensive flooding in much of the city, forcing services, shops, and traffic to come to a halt.

In addition, the rains caused a number of houses to collapse and a number of vehicles to sink.

The rains stopped the movement in markets, pharmacies, street traffic and caused the absence of a large number of government and private sector employees.

At least 23 people have died in Sudan in flash floods following heavy rains in the past three weeks. According to official statistics, rains and flash floods have left at least 61 others injured and displaced more than 8,900 families since July 23.

At least ten people have died in River Nile state according to the emergency and civil defence department.

Devastation

Heavy torrential rains and winds have destroyed hundreds of houses and a number of classrooms in camps for displaced people in North Darfur. Four people including two children died of fever and diarrhoea.

Sheikh Mukthar Bosh, a leader of Rwanda camp in Tawila locality, reported that approximately 1,000 houses have been destroyed and 28 classrooms of three schools were uprooted. Hundreds of cottages in the Tawila market were destroyed too,