UNEP-DHI provided technical assistance to strengthening the flood preparedness and early warning system in Sudan. The goal of this project was to improve Sudan’s capacity to manage floods by enhancing the existing Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS). The project was funded by the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) and was implemented in partnership with the Nile Water Affairs Department of Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources, Sudan.

Background

The Nile River system supports around 31 million people, with over 10 million living in key Sudanese cities like Khartoum and Wad Madeni. These cities have suffered repeated flood damage in recent decades. In 2020, Sudan experienced its worst flooding in 30 years, with the Nile reaching record levels. Sudan also has been facing growing social and economic challenges due to more frequent floods, driven by unpredictable rainfall.

Outcomes of the project

This CTCN technical assistance aimed to enhance the FEWS through the integration of updated hydrological and hydrodynamic models as well as numerical weather prediction models.

This involved updating the system’s models to expand coverage to additional sub-basins, and enable operators to inject current conditions into the system.

The enhancements made the system more suitable for flood management in Sudanese national sub-basins, enabling Sudanese authorities to better prepare for- and respond to- upcoming floods, thereby increasing the resilience of communities, infrastructure, and economic investments.

UNEP-DHI implemented following activities in the project