Dozens of families living along River Shabelle in Jowhar town have been displaced after the river burst its banks following heavy downpour in some parts of Ethiopian highland, Hiiraan, Middle regions.
Families near Somalia’s Sugar Factory, Isnay, have been forced to seek higher grounds after their houses were submerged and valuables washed away.
Hassan Mohamed Ali, a teacher who teaches a school near river said the floods also affected Horseed primary in the area.
“We nowadays have been busy in revising the lessons but the floods from the river have washed away of the school materials and the classrooms were submerged,” said Ali.
Elder Mohamud Mudey, resident in Horseed neighbourhood has blamed the local administration for not taking pre-emptive measures to avert the floods.
“Actually, it was the administration’s fault, they are the ones are suppose to take preventive measure to forestall the effect of the floods,” said elder Mudey.
Osman Mohamed Akukar, Jowhar district commissioner said hundreds of people are spending the night in the cold and have not received help from the government or humanitarian agencies.
Abukar called on the traders, the community leaders and other civil society organizations to support the victims.
“I tell the public never wait foreign aid agencies, I call for cooperation to resolve this issue and warn against underestimating it, as administration we are ready to play our role,” he said.
Shabelle river, which is 1130 km long flows from Ethiopia through Hiiraan, Middle and Lower Shabelle regions.
It is common in the villages alongside the river to witness floods when the river is filled to the brim with frenzied heavy flashing water.
Meanwhile, Hirshabelle Minister for Agriculture, Hassan Ahmed Mudey said Hirshabelle government had reached and supported the victims of Monday’s floods.
He noted government was also carrying out measures to avert the floods caused by River Shabelle.
“We as ministry of agriculture our policy and plans are to save people from the floods from River Shabelle and same way to reduce the water shortages. We have rescued those people who were affected by the floods yesterday,” said Mudey.
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