Somalia – Deadly Flash Floods in North East

by in Africa, News

Heavy rain has affected wide areas of Somalia since 20 April, causing rivers to rise and flash flooding.  According to reports from the United Nations, tens of thousands of people have been affected or displaced.

On 27 April, massive flash flooding swept through the city of Qardho (also known as Gardo) in the northeastern Bari region, part of the autonomous Puntland state. At least 6 people have died and several others are thought to be missing. Hundreds of families have reportedly lost their homes.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on 24 April that “the 2020 Gu’ rains (April-June) have intensified across Somalia, triggering flash flooding in South West State, Jubaland, Bandir, Puntland and Somaliland from 20-23 April.”

According to OCHA, heavy rain from 20 to 22 April caused flooding in Baidoa, South West State, Bay Region, destroying the shelters of more than 81,000 individuals (13,582 households) living in 73 settlements for Internally displaced people (IDPs).

In Jubaland, as of 23 April, approximately 300 households were affected by the river flooding in Bardheere district. Some farmers in Bardheere town lost most of their crops. In Dhobley, Afmadow, ongoing rains affected about 2,000 displaced households in Danwadaag IDP settlement. The impacted households have moved to nearby areas and they do not have access to shelter.

In Puntland, local authorities in Bossaso district reported that 4,500 people were affected by flash floods in the town and surrounding villages from 20 to 23 April.

More rain is likely, and Somalia Water and Land Information Management Project (SWALIM) warned of a high risk of flooding along the Shabelle over the coming days. In a report of 27 April, SWALIM said:

“Heavy rains within the Shabelle basin both in Ethiopia and inside Somalia have led to a drastic increase in river levels along the Shabelle River. Most of the stations in the basin recorded 50mm to 100mm of rainfall in the last three days. In Belet Weyne and surrounding areas, river levels recorded a sharp increase in the last 72 hours, which has seen a rise of 3.50m to 6.00m as of today. This is only 0.50 m below the moderate flood risk level. The river level at Bulo Burti is 3.50m, which is 1.5m increase in the last 72 hours, and is 2.5m below the moderate flood risk level; however, this is likely to increase rapidly in the next few days. In Jowhar, there has been a 1.00m increase in river level in the last 24 hours following heavy rains in the area last night. A similar trend has been observed in Balcad and the lower reaches of the river. The river levels are expected to continue rising along the entire channel of Shabelle as more waters from the Ethiopian highlands are still streaming in.”

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