Heavy floods and storms killed twenty-one people and displaced more than 70,00 people from their homes in Somalia, UN relief agency said.
Torrential rains caused by Tropical cyclone Sagar have led destruction of homes, hospitals and schools in South and Northern Somalia.
The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said floods and storm which have affected close to one million people in Horn of African nation.
In its Flash Update, OCHA noted that over 230,000 people have been affected as the floods killed livestock and shelter and key infrastructures were destroyed across the country
“So far, 21 people are confirmed dead including nine in Hirshabelle State, four in Jubaland State and eight in Banadir region,” OCHA said in its Flash Update.
In Beletweyne town and surrounding areas in Hirshabelle state, flood waters are receding while in Bulo Burto and Jalalasqi flooding levels have increased.
“A further reduction of rainfall, apart from the Southern coastal areas and Ethiopian highlands where light to moderate rains are foreseen, is forecast,” OCHA said.
The report came just a day after Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) warned against imminent tropical cyclone heading to Somalia.
IGAD said active tropical cyclone dubbed Mekuku heading the coast of Somalia’s Semi-autonomous of Puntland.
“The regional model prediction of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) latest run at ICPAC indicates that the tropical cyclone will move progressively northward and landfall over Yemen late on May 26, 2018,” the bloc said.
The Somali government and humanitarian partners are seeking 80 million U.S. dollars to mitigate the impact of the floods and avert a larger scale humanitarian crisis.
The relief agencies are also seeking to capitalize on the agricultural potential the rains present in order to address the food insecurity that has been exacerbated by protracted drought.
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