Assessment of Socioeconomic and Environmental Impacts of Flooding in Tuti Island, Khartoum State, Sudan.

Abstract

Thousands of flood events occur around the globe every year with severe negative impacts. The current study aimed to assess the flood socioeconomic and environmental negative consequences in Tuti Island, Sudan. The results showed that there are several social, economic, and environmental impacts of flooding. Socially, migration, displacement, injury or death of family members, loss of job opportunities, and increased poverty were identified as common impacts. Spatial analysis revealed variations in social impacts across the island, with the eastern region experiencing higher frequencies. Economically, the impacts included loss of income sources, property losses, decreased annual income rates, infrastructure destruction, a hindrance to economic growth, crop damage, and animal deaths. Property losses were particularly prevalent, and economic losses varied across different parts of the island, with proximity to the Nile River associated with higher losses. Individuals dependent on agriculture were more affected by flooding. Environmentally, flood impacts included loss of vegetation cover, soil erosion, lack of diversity, water pollution, loss of natural beauty, and landslides. Landslides were the most common environmental impact. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address these multidimensional impacts, promote resilience, and protect the well-being of residents while safeguarding the island's ecosystems.