MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – At least 22 people have been killed and 219,000 were displaced from their homes in 17 districts since mid-March.
According to the UN humanitarian agency, OCHA, the Shabelle river has overflowed its banks, flooding Belet Weyne town and surrounding villages.
“Thousands of people have been forced to abandon their homes and move to higher ground. The Hirshabelle State authorities have issued an urgent appeal for assistance to those affected,” the statement by OCHA said. “The ongoing rains are expected to recharge surface water sources and enable vegetation to regenerate, but it will require much more rainfall to effectively alleviate the impact of the recent drought.”
Other areas of Somalia that have been most affected by floods include Baardheere in Jubaland State and Baidoa in Southwest State.
Localised flooding is reported in Somaliland, Puntland, Galmudug and Jubaland. Should heavy rains continue in Somalia and in the Ethiopian highlands, partners estimate that flash and riverine floods could impact up to 1.6 million people and displace over 600,000 mostly in flood-prone areas along the Juba and Shabelle rivers and parts of Bay and Banadir regions. The rains could also exacerbate outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
“On a positive note, the rains are recharging surface water sources and enabling vegetation to regenerate, which is important for human and livestock survival, at a time that much of the country is reeling from the impact of the worst drought in four decades. However, it will take much more rainfall to effectively alleviate the impact of the recent drought. Recovery from six consecutive seasons of poor rainfall performance will take time” OCHA said.
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