Sudan warns of floods as Nile surges

Sudan on Monday warned Khartoum residents along the Nile of likely "massive floods" as water levels of the river rose to a record high following heavy rains in Ethiopia.

The Blue Nile flowing to Sudan from Ethiopia converges with the White Nile in Khartoum, and from there they become the Nile which runs through the country into Egypt.

Almost 75 percent of the water in the Nile is brought by the Blue Nile, which swells every year during the rainy season in Ethiopia.

"Water levels of Blue Nile and the Nile are rising, and today the level of the Nile reached its highest in 100 years in Khartoum," the irrigation ministry said in a statement.

"The water level touched 17.14 meters in Khartoum, and is expected to rise more."

Residents living along the Nile have to exercise caution in Khartoum and other states as "massive floods" are expected in the next two days, the ministry said.

Every year, Sudan battles heavy floods. A downpour in August 2013 was the worst to hit Khartoum in 25 years, killing about 50 people in the capital.

About 100 people were killed last year across the country as torrential rains destroyed thousands of houses and submerged several villages.

source: Alarabiya