Somalia’s severe flooding crisis sees a slight improvement as waters start to recede in some regions, but the humanitarian impact remains critical, with 118 deaths, 2.48 million affected, and 899 000 displaced as of December 12, 2023.
The ongoing Deyr rainy season continues to unleash devastating floods across Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa, wreaking havoc on an unprecedented scale. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) confirms that as of November 29, the crisis has affected 2 million people, displaced 746 000, and caused 96 deaths. The most severely impacted areas are in Somalia’s south-west, especially the Bay, Gedo, and Middle Juba regions.
In a dramatic shift from drought to deluge, Somalia is experiencing unprecedented flooding described as a ‘once-in-a-century’ event by the UN. This natural disaster, exacerbated by El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole, has put approximately 1.6 million people at risk, with over 1.24 million already affected. The nation faces a severe humanitarian challenge as it contends with the aftermath of these extreme weather conditions.
Since the onset of the Gu Rainy Season (April through June) in 2023, flash floods have devastated central Somalia, resulting in 22 fatalities and leading to a mass evacuation of tens of thousands from their homes. The regions most impacted by these floods include the Belet Weyne District in Hirshabelle State and the Baardheere District in Jubaland State.
At least 20 people have died in flash floods that hit Somalia’s Bardhere district last week, causing massive damage to infrastructure and forcing thousands to seek safer ground. The district is located on the Jubba River in the Jubaland State of Somalia. The rains mark the early start of the country’s rainy season, providing relief to areas of the country experiencing the worst drought in four decades.
Heavy rains lashed many parts of Somalia over the past few days, triggering flash floods that affected around 25 000 people and killed at least 25. This included nine children who died due to flooding in Banadir on Friday, May 7, 2021, and six others in Mogadishu on…
Wide areas of Somalia have been experiencing unusually strong rainfall season since mid-July. Nearly 200 000 people have been affected and 120 000 have been displaced as of Thursday, August 6, 2020. Over the last few days, further flooding has hit parts of Somalia,…
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…
Torrential rains and flash floods have claimed at least 16 lives and affected more than 200 000 people across Somalia since April 2020. About 10 others remain missing due to floods and at least 2 000 farms have been washed away since the Gu or rainy season in the…
Seasonal rains continued to strengthen in most parts of East Africa during the fourth week of April 2020, leading to a significant increase in rainfall which triggered deadly flash floods in Ethiopia and Somalia. Around 83 000 people have been displaced. Since…
