Vulnerability of Khartoum city to climate change By: Dr. Sumaya Ahmed Zakieldeen CLACC Fellow, Sudan University of Khartoum, Institute of Environmental Studies zakields@yahoo.com
Khartoum Khartoum, is the capital and major trading, financial and political centre of Sudan. It is located on the western bank of the Blue Nile and forms a huge triangle, with its vertex at the confluence of the two Niles and the base bordering Gezira State about 30km south-eastward The climate is mainly tropical The city was founded in 1823 From 1899 to 1956 Khartoum was capital of the Anglo- Egyptian Sudan and remained capital when Sudan became independent Khartoum, together with the two other cities, Khartoum North and Omdurman forms what is called the Tripartite Capital.
Key statistics for Khartoum Indicator Statistics Annual growth rate 4% Number of shanty towns surrounding metropolitan Khartoum 96 Estimated population of unauthorized settlements 2-3 million % of central Khartoum covered by water network 71% % of Khartoum connected to sewage system 28% % of Khartoum using pit latrines or basic systems 68%
Khartoum State and Khartoum city
Agriculture in Khartoum
Urban Development vs natural resources The three cities of Khartoum (Khartoum, Khartoum north and Omdurman) expanded at the expense of agriculture, rangelands and forest lands In addition to that bricks kilns also expanded in agricultural land along the three Niles and cause a lot of environmental problems
Growth of Khartoum between 1972 and 2000
Population
Climate change impacts in Sudan In Sudan, current major climate hazards consist of : drought and extreme flooding events, In addition, there are other climate related phenomena such as dust storms, thunderstorms, and heat waves whose occurrences, though less frequent, still pose serious threat to local livelihoods. Future climate change is expected to see these hazards intensify (NAPA).
The areas, which are frequently affected by drought and floods, are: Western Sudan (Kordofan and Darfur States) (drought and localized floods). Areas located along the Blue Nile River and the main Nile River which include the Northern state, Naher El Neil state, Khartoum and Gezira states (floods ). Eastern parts which include Kassala state and Red Sea state (drought and River El Gash floods).
Drought areas in Sudan Source: Fadl Elmoula (2005)
Areas vulnerable to flooding and torrential rains in Sudan Source: Fadl Elmoula (2005)
Annual Rainfall Anomalies and Trend at Khartoum Station 4 2 Sigma Score 0-2 1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 Years
Annual Mean Temperature Anomalies and Trend at Khartoum 4 2 Sigma Score 0-2 -4 1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 Years
Indicators for an environmental hazard map An environmental hazard map was made (HCENR & SECS) for Sudan, for which eleven indicators were used these were: Human diseases, industrial pollution, overgrazing, deforestation, desertification, shortage of domestic water, unsafe domestic water, lack of safe sanitation, conflicts, urban problems, effect of chemical used in agriculture
Environmental hazards in Khartoum Indicator human diseases industrial pollution overgrazing deforestation desertification shortage of drinking water unsafe drinking water conflict urban problems effects of chemicals Agreggation status of hazard high high very high very high very high low very low moderate high moderate high
Water Drainage Natural water drainage in Khartoum State is divided into: 1- River Nile and its main tributaries (White and Blue Nile) 2- Large seasonal streams (Wadi Hawad, Wadi Elmugadam etc). In the rainy season these Wadis are flooded with water from Khartoum as well as from neighbouring states 3- Small seasonal streams, similar to the large streams they also drain rain water to the Nile during the rainy season. - Regular measurements of water of these streams is lacking - there is strong need for construction of small dams and sudds for proper utilization of the seasonal water - many of these streams were believed to be obstructed by developmental construction (roads, buildings etc) - Complains about absence of contour map to cover new expansions
Hydrological Map of Khartoum
Early warning system And the role of the Metrological Authority The Met Authority understands the important of long term climate predictions (years, from 1-100 yrs) however lack of the right tools such as super computers represent an obstacle. Currently statistical approaches are used for seasonal predictions. Khartoum is given special consideration by the Met Authority mainly because: It is highly vulnerable (rains, flood of seasonal streams) densely populated Endangered by three rivers during the rainy season the (Nile, Blue and White Nile). Accordingly beside the state forecast consideration of rain situations in the Ethiopian Plateau was also considered.
Location and number of internally displaced people in Sudan 2,500,000 2,000,000 number 1,500,000 1,000,000 500,000 0 Khartoum Northern Red Sea Kassala Gedaref Sennar Blue Nile White Nile Upper Nile Kordofan Unity Bahr el Ghazal Equatoria Greater Darfur State
The most serious and common natural disaster facing the population of Sudan is drought. Rural communities in many villages in Khartoum state have faced waves of drought since the 1970s, which have exacerbated rural poverty and precipitated large-scale displacement to the northern cities Uncontrolled sprawl, chronic solid waste management problems and the lack of wastewater treatment are the leading environmental problems facing Sudan s urban centres. The explosive growth of the capital Khartoum continues persistently, with 64 percent of the country s urban population residing in the area.
Due to the relatively limited industrial development in Sudan to date, environmental damage has so far been moderate, but the situation could worsen rapidly as the country embarks on an oil-financed development boom. The release of effluent from factories and the disposal of produced water associated with crude oil extraction are issues of particular concern, as industrial wastewater treatment facilities are lacking, 80 % of the factories in Khartoum don t have treatment plant for their sewage waste.
Studies revealed that existing methods of industrial waste disposal (Liquid, solid and gaseous) different types of industries in Khartoum, are not functioning well causing: environmental problems Health hazards to people living in the neighborhoods Absence of environmentally sound planning and regulation system, defficiency of basic services and infrastructure Recently (2007) a law was issued to control liquid waste drainage based on the recommendation of Ministry of physical planning