The death toll from flash flooding in Somalia has reached 50, with nearly 700,000 people displaced from their homes, according to a government official. The heavy rains, which began on Tuesday, are expected to intensify the country’s challenges. The Horn of Africa is grappling with torrential rainfall and floods attributed to the El Nino weather phenomenon, causing widespread displacement and destruction of infrastructure, including bridges and residential areas in Somalia.
Mohamud Moalim Abdullahi, director of the Somali Disaster Management Agency, reported the casualties and displacements at a press briefing on Monday. He expressed concern about the anticipated rains from November 21 to 24, warning that they could lead to more flooding, resulting in further loss of life and property.
The UN humanitarian agency OCHA stated on Saturday that the number of displaced people in Somalia due to heavy rains and floods had nearly doubled in a week. The disaster has affected 1.7 million people overall, damaging roads, bridges, and airstrips in various areas, disrupting the movement of people and supplies and causing a rise in the prices of essential commodities.
Save the Children, a British charity, reported on Thursday that over 100 people, including 16 children, had died, and more than 700,000 were displaced in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia due to flash flooding.
The Horn of Africa, highly susceptible to climate change, experiences increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Emerging from the worst drought in four decades, the region faces ongoing challenges, with humanitarian groups warning of a worsening situation. Urgent global intervention is sought as the El Nino weather pattern is expected to persist until at least April 2024.
