Mogadishu hit by a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours, killing 7, Somalia
Image credit: Mogadishu Update/Twitter
Nearly 60 mm (2.3 inches) of rain fell in Somalia's capital Mogadishu from May 10 to 11, 2020– almost equivalent to the city's average rainfall for the entire month of May, which is 61 mm (2.4 inches). Flooding and damages were reported, as well as seven fatalities. Roughly 550 000 people have been affected and 217 000 have been displaced across the country since the Gu or seasonal rains began in early April.
At least seven people lost their lives– five of which were believed to be members of the same family, including four children and their grandmother. Their house reportedly collapsed following the heavy downpour.
Residents nearby had to be rescued, while some people had evacuated their homes. Streets looked like raging rivers as poor drainage system resulted in inundations.
On Tuesday, May 12, the UAE has sent aid to Somalia to help thousands of flood victims, as well as patients infected with the coronavirus. More than 35 tonnes of life-saving equipment was on board the flight to Mogadishu.
The aircraft was chartered at the order of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Dubai's vice president.
More than half a million people have been affected by heavy rains since April this year, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Heavy rain in #Mogadishu tonight. As I enjoy it, I think about the thousands who are less fortunate and don’t even have a roof over their head. Salamaat pic.twitter.com/yasu3dCOER
— WaheidSiraad (@WSiraad) May 10, 2020
This is the aftermath of last night's rain in one dusadvantaged neighborhood. #Mogadishu has no drainage and garbage collection system n we pay all the tax revenue in this country. #CleanMogadishuNow spend our tax money on our city. pic.twitter.com/cFR8Ajx29u
— MogadishuImages (@MogadishuImages) May 11, 2020
4 children and one adult all members of one family have died after their house collapsed following heavy rain in Wadajir, #Mogadishu last night. The incidence occured in the wee hours of the night while they were sleeping. pic.twitter.com/OtGBzer8Ex
— HornFirst News (@hornfirstnews) May 11, 2020
UPDATE: At least seven people dead including four children of the same family and their grandmother as their homes collapsed in #Mogadishu during the heavy rains last night, Flash floods affected IDP camps and key roads of the city according to the residents. #Somalia pic.twitter.com/GjYsiTtEkb
— Mogadishu Update (@Magdashi3) May 11, 2020
