Seasonal Flooding of Baraka River Isolates Tokar After Road to Port Sudan Washed Away
The seasonal flooding of the Baraka River has cut off the city of Tokar, about 166 km south of Port Sudan, after sweeping away the main road linking it to Suakin and the state capital.
Community activist Ohaj Tilab told Sudan Tribune that the road damage has left Tokar isolated as residents await emergency maintenance teams. He warned that new surges in water levels could put the city at risk of a repeat disaster similar to last year’s devastating flood.
Local efforts on Thursday and Friday managed to contain the river’s overflow and prevent it from reaching residential areas. Still, Tilab cautioned that the city remains in a “critical and possibly catastrophic situation” if the Baraka River rises again.
Tilab said community groups submitted a rescue and emergency plan to the Red Sea state government in May, urging the deployment of Civil Defence police to monitor the river and protect residents.
The Baraka River, which flows from Eritrea, has already damaged a bridge, allowing floodwaters to spill toward the city. Residents fear a repeat of last year’s disaster when floods caused extensive damage across Tokar.
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