BELEDWEYNE: Central Somalia has been hit by severe flash flooding, leading to the displacement of approximately 200,000 people, according to a regional official.
The Shabelle River overflowed, causing roads to be submerged and forcing residents of Beledweyne town in the Hiran region to evacuate their homes. Struggling through the flooded streets, people carried their belongings on their heads as they searched for shelter.
Ali Osman Hussein, the deputy governor for social affairs in the Hiran region, stated, “Around 200,000 people are now displaced because of the Shabelle River flash floods in Beledweyne town. The number may increase anytime. It is an initial figure now.” He added that efforts were underway to assist those affected by the floods.
The region’s deputy governor, Hassan Ibrahim Abdulle, reported on Friday that three individuals had lost their lives in the flooding.
Food crisis in Somalia
This disaster comes as Somalia grapples with a record drought that has pushed millions of people to the brink of famine. The country has been plagued by an Islamist insurgency for decades as well.
Residents recounted how they were compelled to abandon their homes as water surged through the streets and buildings.
Fartun Ali, a 35-year-old mother of eight, who requested anonymity, revealed that this was the fifth time she had fled from flooding in Beledweyne. She said whenever the river breaks the banks, they flee.
Iman Badal Omar, another resident, expressed relief at having escaped with his life. “All we could do was to immediately evacuate and save our children. We did not take any of our belongings,” he said.
Eastern and central Africa often experiences extreme weather during the rainy seasons. Just earlier this month, heavy rains in Rwanda claimed the lives of 135 people and left over 9,000 homeless due to floods and landslides.
In the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, more than 400 people lost their lives last week as a result of torrential downpours, floods, and landslides.
Experts attribute these extreme weather events to climate change, which has increased their frequency and intensity. Africa, despite contributing the least to global warming, bears the brunt of its consequences.
Similar incidents of heavy rains and flooding have been reported in the region in recent years, causing loss of life and displacement.
As Somalia faces the challenges of both drought and flooding, humanitarian efforts are crucial to providing aid and support to the affected population, addressing their immediate needs and working towards long-term solutions to mitigate the severe impact of extreme weather events.
