CMMS Mav News

An emergency was declared by Somali authorities after devastating rains trapped and displaced thousands of people across the country from their homes. The East African country, Somalia, experiences several years of drought followed by failed rainy seasons that cause a huge crisis within the community. Studies on this phenomenon show that drought is more likely to occur due to the human-induced climate crisis, global warming. 

Torrential rains, seemingly stronger than El Niño, have killed at least 10 people in flash floods. According to the Somali Disaster Management Agency, on Sunday, rains have been sweeping through numerous communities, causing devastation to everything in its path. 

In addition, approximately 100,000 residents of the area have been displaced, according to the United Nations humanitarian agency (OCHA). They also estimate that roughly 2,400 others in villages, located along the overflowing Juba River, are trapped in floodwaters in Jubaland. This is one of the worst affected states. A statement from OCHA on Monday says that, “In Baardheere (in Jubaland), local authorities are appealing for urgent support for more than 14,000 families that have been cut off from the main town and are unable to replenish their domestic supplies.”

The deadly floods have also hit other regions such as Hirshabelle, Puntland, Galmudug and the South West. On Monday, aerial imagery was shared by Somalia’s state broadcaster that shows practically submerged buildings in the South West’s Baidoa district. Officials could be seen evacuating stranded families. 

Jubaland and South West states were devastated the most by the floods, with over 200,000 people affected in each state, OCHA said in another report. In Puntland, a camp was destroyed by heavy rains and floods. This camp was meant as a refuge for people who had already been displaced. Electricity and internet connections in the state’s north Gaalkacyo neighborhood were cut off. 

Flooding in the Galmdug state caused two deaths, both were teenage children; a male and a female. Similar casualties, of two children, have happened in the South West’s Berdale district. 

These flash foods are very peculiar, according to officials who study the rain patterns. Months after Somalia marked the end of its lengthiest drought in decades, which killed over 40,000 people, now causes destructive and violent flooding during Somalia’s rainy season.