Somalia – Floods in 3 Regions as Juba and Shabelle Rivers Rise

Update, 26 April 2018:

A UN report (pdf) says that around 50,000 people have been displaced by flooding, mostly in Galgadud, Hiraan and Middle Juba regions. At least 5 flood related deaths have been reported.

Original Report, 25 April 2018:

Over the last few days, heavy rain in river catchments has caused flooding in at least 3 regions of Somalia. River levels are high in many areas and further heavy rain is expected.

Heavy rain in many parts of the Juba and Shabelle river basins both in Somalia and in the Ethiopian Highlands has caused flooding in some areas within the basins in Somalia, including Gedo, Bakool and Bay regions.

Somalia Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM) reported on 23 April that river levels have increased drastically in the entire reaches of the two rivers and are close to breaking their banks at Luuq (Juba) and Beledweyne (Shabelle).

Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected over the coming week in catchment areas, and levels of the Juba and Shabelle rivers are expected to rise further.

SWALIM said there is therefore an immediate high risk of flooding along the two rivers given the current situation. Areas of particular concern include areas around the towns of Beledweyne and Jowhar as the Shabelle rises, and areas around Dolow, Bardera and Bu’ale towns as the Juba rises.

Other areas of concern are towns in the Middle and Lower Shabelle regions such as Bal’ad and Kurtunwarey.

SWALIM added that “flash floods in Bay and Bakool regions also cannot be ruled out given the rainfall forecast.”

Breaking NewsEthiopiaSomalia