A Humanitarian Tragedy… Landslides Wipe Out an Entire Village in Jebel Marra

Moatinoon
The Jebel Marra area in Central Darfur, western Sudan, recently witnessed a heartbreaking incident after a mountainside collapsed following heavy rainfall, killing the entire population of a village estimated at more than one thousand people.

This phenomenon is one of the recurring natural hazards in mountainous regions, particularly during the rainy season.

On Monday evening, the Civil Authority of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), led by Abdul Wahid Mohamed al-Nur, announced the death of all residents of the village of Tarsin, numbering around one thousand, due to massive landslides in the Jebel Marra area.

In a statement received by Muwatinin, the Civil Authority said:

“We are following with deep sadness and concern the tragic events that struck the residents of Tarsin village, caused by the massive and devastating landslides in central Jebel Marra, in the Jebel Amo area, on August 31, 2025, after heavy rains that fell during the last week of August.”

The statement added:
“Initial information indicates that all residents of the village have died, estimated at more than one thousand people, with only one survivor.”

It is worth noting that the now-destroyed village of Tarsin was among the most famous citrus-producing areas of Jebel Marra. Today, it has been completely leveled by the landslides triggered by torrential rains.

The Civil Authority of the SLM appealed to the United Nations, regional and international organizations, and the conscience of humanity to assist in recovering the bodies of the more than one thousand men, women, and children buried under the earth.

For his part, Minni Arko Minnawi, leader of the SLM and governor of Darfur, wrote on (X):
> “What happened in Tarsin village in Jebel Marra is a humanitarian tragedy beyond the borders of the region. We have lost a large number of our people in a devastating natural disaster. While we mourn the victims and extend condolences to their families, we call on international humanitarian organizations to urgently intervene and provide aid in this critical moment. The tragedy is far beyond the capacity of our people alone.”

According to geologist Kamal Omar, a landslide occurs when masses of rocks, soil, or sediment move downslope due to natural or human factors, often happening suddenly.

The main causes of the Jebel Marra landslide include:
Heavy rainfall, which allowed large amounts of water to seep into rocks and soil, increasing their weight and reducing cohesion.

Geological composition: The mountains consist of relatively fragile volcanic rocks that quickly weather and erode.

Steep slopes, which make it easier for rock masses to slide under external pressures.

Lack of dense vegetation cover in some areas, reducing soil stability and increasing erosion risk.

Human activities such as road construction or farming on slopes, which may contribute to soil fragility.

The key impacts of the disaster include:
Loss of life (over 1,000 deaths recorded).
Destruction of mountain paths and roads.
Threats to nearby agricultural areas.

With continued rainfall and flooding, experts warn of the possibility of similar incidents recurring throughout the rainy season.

To mitigate this dangerous phenomenon, the geologist recommends regular monitoring of high-risk areas during the rainy season and raising awareness among local communities on how to deal with landslide hazards.

The Jebel Marra landslide highlights the severity of natural disasters under extreme climatic conditions and underscores the urgent need for preventive measures to reduce future loss of lives and property.

The main causes of the Jebel Marra landslide include:
Heavy rainfall, which allowed large amounts of water to seep into rocks and soil, increasing their weight and reducing cohesion.

Geological composition: The mountains consist of relatively fragile volcanic rocks that quickly weather and erode.

Steep slopes, which make it easier for rock masses to slide under external pressures.

Lack of dense vegetation cover in some areas, reducing soil stability and increasing erosion risk.

Human activities such as road construction or farming on slopes, which may contribute to soil fragility.

The key impacts of the disaster include:
Loss of life (over 1,000 deaths recorded).
Destruction of mountain paths and roads.
Threats to nearby agricultural areas.

With continued rainfall and flooding, experts warn of the possibility of similar incidents recurring throughout the rainy season.

To mitigate this dangerous phenomenon, the geologist recommends regular monitoring of high-risk areas during the rainy season and raising awareness among local communities on how to deal with landslide hazards.

The Jebel Marra landslide highlights the severity of natural disasters under extreme climatic conditions and underscores the urgent need for preventive measures to reduce future loss of lives and property.