Departure and arrival flights at Ugas Khalif Airport have been disrupted by floods following heavy rains in Beledweyne town.
Floodwaters washed away from town’s highland areas have submerged at the airport’s runaway.
The authorities have suspended the flights and informed the travelers over the suspension.
Sabriye Mohamed Hussein, one of the airport officials confirmed the disruption of the airport operation said the water submerged parts of the airport making flights difficult.
“The airport needs to be refurbished on the eve of every rainy season. The rains have impact on the operation of the airport, for instance, today there are no departure and arrival flights,” Hussein said.
There is no proper sewage in the airport making it vulnerable to floods.
Hirshabelle state has carried out initiatives to improve the standard of the airport which is currently operates as an airstrip despite being located in the headquarters of iiran region.
Mohamed Abdi Waare, Hirshabelle President who is in Beledweyne on tour had earlier pledged that his administration would rebuild the airport which had not been refurbished since the fall of Somalia’s central government in 1990s.
The airport which is located in the outskirt of the town is surrounded by ranges of hills that pour floods to the airport during the rainy seasons.
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