Search and rescue teams are racing against time in Sudan’s western Darfur region after a catastrophic landslide buried the remote village of Tarasin in the Marrah Mountains.
So far, around 100 bodies have been recovered, but the Sudan Liberation Movement-Army (SLM-A) warns the death toll could potentially reach as high as 1,000. The disaster struck on August 31 following several days of heavy rain.
The United Nations reports that the full scale of the tragedy is still unknown, as the area is extremely difficult to access due to damaged infrastructure and hazardous conditions. “What we are trying to do right now is reach that area,” said Arjimand Hussain, Plan International’s Regional Response Manager. “Unfortunately, no international humanitarian or UN agency has been able to get there yet because of floods, submerged roads, and flash flooding in the valleys.”
Floods and Terrain Hamper Rescue Efforts
The combination of heavy rain, flash floods, and difficult terrain has made reaching the affected village extremely challenging. Rescue teams face submerged roads, unstable ground, and continuing rainfall that threatens further landslides.
Humanitarian Crisis Worsens
The landslide has worsened an already severe humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where ongoing civil war, displacement, and food shortages have devastated communities for the past two years. The Marrah Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are known for their unique climate—cooler and wetter than the surrounding region. These conditions contributed to the landslide and continue to hamper relief operati