MOGADISHU — The United Nations humanitarian agency is warning of a looming crisis in the country after heavy rains and flash floods affected more than 427,000 people in different parts of the nation, 175,000 of whom have already left their homes in southern regions.
The heavy downpour and flash floods, which started last month, rendered roads impassible, disrupted learning activities, washed away farmlands and either destroyed or damaged 200 latrines used by the internally displaced people in Baidoa town that hosts an estimated 246,000 IDPs. At least three people have so far drowned.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is also warning of heavy rains and flash floods that are expected in the coming week in most parts of the nation, saying that poor hygiene and stagnant water could “trigger” waterborne diseases.
“Immediate needs include water, shelter, food, latrines, health services and emergency education,” said the agency on Thursday, adding that the Shabelle River levels have reached the bank full-level as heavy rains continued to pour in the river basin in Ethiopia and Somalia. Motorized boats are also need to reach people in isolated locations, the UN agency said.
Norwegian Refugee Council said on Friday the situation is urgent, as the flash floods have added a new dimension to the ongoing crisis in Somalia, where since last year more than 1.3 million people fled their homes due to drought and conflict.
“With limited access to proper toilets and clean water, it’s a ticking time bomb for disease outbreaks like cholera and malaria,” said Victor Moses, Somalia Country Director for Norwegian Refugee Council.
The most affected regions in the country are those along the Juba and Shabelle rivers as well as Banadir region, the agency said, noting that Ethiopian highlands, which are the source of both rivers, have recently received moderate to heavy rains.
In Belet Weyne town and surrounding riverine villages, an estimated 122,580 people have been displaced after the Shabelle River burst its banks and flooded houses and crops, said the agency, citing data collected by humanitarian partners.
The main road that connects Belet Weyne town to the airport is on the verge of closure due to the river overflow, warned the report.
Belet Weyne, which is the main city in Hiiraan region, is situated in a low-lying area and during rainy seasons the water of more than 20 nearby valleys flow into it. The Shabelle river, which flows from Ethiopia, runs through the middle of the city.
In Middle Shabelle, Jowhar, Mahaday and Bal’ad were hit the hardest by the Shabelle River overflow.
“The road connecting Mogadishu and Jowhar is almost impassable, while the Jowhar-Bal’ad road is cut off at Garsaale village, north of Bal’ad,” said the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
.In Baidoa town, flash floods and deluge of water have affected an estimated 174,000 people and a further 5,000 others in Afgooye town, where Al-Yasir primary school was also inundated with flood water and learning activities were disrupted.
“A canal breakage in Golweyne village washed away an estimated ten hectares of farmland,” said the agency.
In Bu’aale, Garbahaarey, El Waaq, Luuq, Baardheere, and Saakow as well as the the low-lying areas of Jilib and Jamaame, an estimated 165,000 people were affected, 42,300 of whom have abandoned their homes.
“Some 2,000 farmers along the Juba riverine areas lost their crops, irrigation infrastructure such as 200 irrigation pumps and farming equipment,” said the agency.
In central Somalia, heavy downpour and flash floods have affected an estimated 9,300 internally displaced people in Danwadaag, Kulmiye and Wadajir settlements, including 1,650 people who moved to higher ground.
“Poor hygiene and stagnant water may trigger diseases” in the region, said agency, adding that there is an urgent need for shelter, mosquito nets, food, latrines and health services.
With the exception of northeastern regions, the country has received heavy rains last week, causing thousands of people to abandon their submerged homes and seek refuge in less affected areas.
In Mogadishu, the capital, and its environs, which host an estimated 497,000, flash floods have affected an estimated 54,000 people, mainly in IDP settlements in K12, towards the Afgooye corridor, said the agency.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that the improvised shelters and latrines used by the internally displaced people in the area have been destroyed and that the lack of proper sanitation is heightening the risk of communicable diseases. The region has already recorded acute watery diarrhoea, with over 430 cases reported since January.