Floods claim at least 7 lives in Mogadishu, Somalia
At least 7 people were reported dead in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, after heavy rain on Friday, May 9, 2025. Floodwaters rose to waist height, causing widespread damage to roads and city infrastructure.
Residents traversing through floodwaters in Mogadishu following heavy rains on Friday, May 9, 2025. Image credit: SONNALIVE
At least 7 people have been reported dead due to floods in Mogadishu in the Banadir region following heavy rains on Friday, May 9. The death toll could be higher, with some reports indicating 10 fatalities. At least 9 houses have collapsed due to the floods in the city.
State-run news agency SONNA reported that floodwaters rose to waist height after 8 hours of constant rain on Friday night, overwhelming the city’s drainage system with a rainfall total exceeding 115 mm (4.5 inches).
Emergency evacuations were conducted in multiple neighborhoods amid the rising floodwaters. Many roads in the city were cut off due to the floodwaters, with at least six major routes having suffered significant damage, according to the regional administration of Mogadishu.
The Governor of Banadir Region and Mayor of Mogadishu, H.E Mohamed Ahmed Amiin, issued an emergency statement in response to the flooding on Saturday, May 10.
“The torrential rains in Mogadishu and its outskirts have led to serious consequences, and we have taken every possible measure to address the situation,” said Governor Amiin. “A comprehensive report detailing the impact of the floods will be released soon, and immediate relief aid will be delivered to those affected.”
The mayor added that emergency response teams are actively working to manage the effects of the floods, and have deployed water pumps and suction trucks to drain flood-prone areas.
The Minister of Defence, Jibril Abdirashid Haji, visted the region on Saturday, to inspect the flood hit areas and damaged roads, including the ones near the KM4 and Iskuul Buluusiyo. He pledged government response and support for the affected citizens.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules.