Tawila, October 31 (Darfur24)
Tawila locality in North Darfur is facing a worsening water crisis as declining rainfall, falling groundwater levels and unregulated well drilling threaten supplies, a government water official warned on Thursday.
Abdelshafi Abdullah Adam, director of the Government Water and Environmental Sanitation Project, said displacement sites were already experiencing severe shortages, forcing families to queue for hours at water distribution points, as well as owners reporting falling water levels.
Adam attributed the decline partly to reduced rainfall this year, which he linked to the El Niño phenomenon. He said Tawila, located in a desert and semi-desert area, was among the areas in North Darfur particularly affected by the lack of rain.
He warned that increasing reliance on groundwater ahead of the dry season was a concerning sign, raising the risk of a more severe water shortage in the coming months and potentially increasing the spread of waterborne diseases.
Adam said scarce rainfall, excessive pumping and uncontrolled well drilling were combining to deplete groundwater reserves. Rising demand from households and economic activities was adding further pressure, threatening wells and traditional water sources relied on by local communities.
He urged authorities in Tawila to consult water experts and introduce precautionary measures to ensure the sustainable management of water resources. He also called for restrictions on excessive groundwater extraction and an end to unregulated well drilling.
Abdel Salam Mohamed Omar, a private well owner, told Darfur24 that water levels in most wells had fallen compared with previous months.
He warned that the decline could trigger a serious water crisis during the coming dry season, worsening conditions for displaced people already struggling to access safe drinking water.
