“I always like walking in the rain, so no one can see me crying.” (Charlie Chaplin)

I love the rain. I love watching the droplets hit the ground. I especially love the earthly smell after the rain. Oh and I love walking in the rain too.. (provided I wasn't in a hurry to go somewhere or I'm not rushing to work or anywhere important where I have to be neat, nice and dry).

Happiness is feeling the rain.. tak kisah lah if people say it's acid rain ke apa.. heheh.

But of course, I hate walking in the puddle (actually, I'm more afraid of spoiling my shoes and stepping into a hole that's not noticeable because of the water). And I hate falling sick, after getting all wet for walking in the rain. (I hate the sneezes and the headache I get when I don't shower immediately after getting caught in the rain.)

Apa pun, I still look forward to the rain. Tapi when it rains too much pun, susah jugak.

And this was what is happening in Sudan. Apparently, Sudan is getting more rain this year, compared to the previous years. And this has resulted in floods everywhere. In fact, it was reported that this year's flooding is the worse since 1988.

The thing with Sudan is that it is supposed to be dessert dry. Hence the drainage system is not a key element in city planning or construction of buildings. Even in Khartoum, it is difficult to see a drain. So when it rains, the city gets flooded easily because the water doesn't have an outlet to flow. Plus, the soil isn't porous. Not like the soil in Malaysia.

It hasn't rained since I got back from London on Monday. But even as I was flying back to Khartoum, I could see stagnant water at some parts of the country (the plane was flying low at that time). And the water level in the Nile River (which is just across the Complex) is rapidly increasing. This is because it's been raining outside Khartoum, causing the water level to increase in that area and into the Nile River.. and it's now flowing past Khartoum to Egypt.

News reports indicated that Sudan is just entering the rainy season, so we are anticipating more rain in the next few days. A little part of me is kinda worried and hoping that it will not rain so much. Simply because Sudan is not a country that is prepared for lots of rain.

Already, the damage has been quite extensive. Mud houses and properties are destroyed and some parts of Sudan are not getting the food supply.

I hope things will get better soon. May God save this wonderful country and its kind, friendly people.. Insya Allah.

Water water everywhere

Can normal cars get through?

This picture of a Sudanese woman caught in the flood made it in the news.

The worst is yet to come?

The Nile River, already threatening to overflow

Ok. Gotta run. Ada BBQ happening downstairs. So nak semayang and join the other residents of the Complex. Happy weekend semua!