Heavy rains kill at least 25 people in Somalia

At least 25 people have been killed in the past seven days due to heavy rains pounding several parts of Somalia, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. In a statement released on Sunday the United Nations humanitarian agency said among the dead are 14 children and seven internally displaced people.

Furthermore, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on Saturday warned of the high risk of severe flooding in Somalia amid rising water river levels. According to the organization's latest flood bulletin released in Mogadishu, at least 150,000 people are at immediate risk from imminent floods as river levels in parts of the country continue to rise due to torrential rains.

"Heavy rains have hit various parts of the country, triggering flash floods that have killed and displaced people. An estimated 25,000 people in 15 villages in Jowhar, Middle Shabelle region were affected by riverine flooding. However, authorities and partners are scaling up responses," it said in the statement.

"The Juba River has reportedly broken its bank in Doolow, reaching 4.7 meters, which is 0.2 meters above moderate flooding level, subsequently flooding three villages."

Ezana Kassa, the organization's Head of Program in Somalia, said it was time to act to ensure the safety and well-being of the people who will be affected by this unprecedented flooding. He added the floods also temporarily affected some of the internally displaced people who are living in sub-standard shelters.

"Flash floods washed away over 1,250 head of livestock and damaged shelters in low-lying areas. Despite the heavy rains that have hit parts of Somalia, the rains have come too late for the planting season, hence further exacerbating already significant food security concerns in the country," Kassa said.

The organization also said the level of damage expected could supersede the mitigation and risk measures that have already been implemented, such as rehabilitating river embankments. Limited evacuation from flood-prone areas and extensive crop damage is likely to result, as it has in recent years.

Chris Print, the organization's senior land and water advisor in Somalia, said there is a climate emergency in Somalia and in the region. He noted the impacts of climate change on people will be felt mainly through water, driven by pattern shifts in regional weather, particularly rainfall and extreme events

"Somalia is on the front line of climate change and the frequency of climate-related disasters is increasing rapidly. The country has, since 1990, experienced more than 30 climate-related hazards, including 12 droughts and 19 floods. This is triple the number of climate-related hazards experienced in the country between 1970 and 1990," Print said.

"As of April, more than 80 percent of the country was experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions following below average October to December 2020 rains, followed by a harsh and warmer than normal January to March," he added.