A devastating landslide struck the village of Tarasin in the Marra Mountains region of western Sudan on August 31, 2025, killing over 1,000 people, according to the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A).
The disaster followed days of heavy rainfall and completely levelled the village, which is located in the conflict-ridden Darfur area. The SLM/A has urgently appealed to the United Nations and international aid agencies for assistance in rescue and relief operations amid ongoing civil war and widespread displacement.
Catastrophic Impact on Tarasin Village and Its Residents
The landslide buried homes, farms, and orchards beneath mud and debris, wiping out the entire community of Tarasin. The SLM/A, which controls the area, confirmed that all residents except one perished, marking this as one of Sudan’s deadliest natural disasters.
Regional governor Minni Arko Minnawi described the tragedy as an immense humanitarian crisis compounded by the difficulty of accessing the mountainous terrain. Search efforts are ongoing, but the conflict and geographical isolation have severely hindered timely intervention.
Context of Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
The tragedy unfolds amidst Sudan’s ongoing civil war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which erupted in April 2023 and has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and millions displaced, especially from North Darfur.
Many displaced families had sought refuge in remote mountain villages like Tarasin, which remained inaccessible to many humanitarian agencies due to active fighting. The war has also intensified famine and food insecurity across Darfur, exacerbating the suffering of vulnerable populations trapped by conflict and environmental catastrophe.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The scale of loss caused by this landslide combined with the existing conflict highlights the multifaceted crises faced by Sudan’s remote communities. The Logical Indian calls for urgent global humanitarian support, peace-building efforts, and climate resilience measures in vulnerable regions.
It urges international cooperation that prioritises human dignity amid disasters and draws attention to the interplay of war, displacement, and environmental hazards.
