Somalia: State Of Emergency Declared After Heavy Rains Triggered Floods, Trapped Residents

A state of emergency has been declared in Somalia after heavy rains and massive floods trapped thousands of residents.

Authorities said that at least ten individuals were killed amid the bad weather.

They noted that the floods in the Galmudug state caused the deaths of two teenage girls and a boy also drowned in floodwaters.

Furthermore, two children were also among the casualties recorded in South West's Berdale district.

Emergency Situation

The deputy prime minister of XFS, Salah Ahmed Jaamac, has already announced an emergency situation for the Somali people who have been affected by the floods.

Jamaac already announced that the government is going to organize and deliver assistance to those who are in need as it also urged the Somalian community, especially the businessmen to support the Somali people who have experienced suffering in Gedo region and some of the regions of the country.

More than 100,000 people have been displaced so far, according to the United Nation's Humanitarian Agency (OCHA).

Authorities said that around 2,400 reside in villages that are located along the overflowing Juba River.

They are feared to be trapped in flood waters in Jubaland, one of the worst affected states.

As of November 6, partners and authorities estimated that over 706,100 people are temporarily affected, with more than 113,690 temporarily displaced from their homes.

Officials said that 2,400 people are believed to be trapped by flood water in Luuq Godey, Minyara, Gumaro as well as in other surrounding villages, in Luuq district, Jubaland.

The authorities and partner agencies have also been scrambling to evacuate the affected and stranded families.

Humanitarian partners and the authorities are working to respond to the situation and to provide the needs of the victims.

Federal authorities have called on the Somali community, especially the business community, to support affected people.

Fueled By El Niño

The heavy rains fueled by an El Nino, have intensified particularly in areas such as Puntland, Galmudug, South West, Hirshabelle states and in areas along the Juba river in Jubaland State.

Officials have urged for the activation of evacuation plans, warning that there is a high risk of riverine flooding in Jubaland, particularly in Doolow, Luuq, Baardhere, Bualle, and Jilib districts.

Still, they called on the people living along the entire stretch of the Juba river to identify safe routes going to high grounds.

They were also warned of a high risk of flooding along the Shabelle river at Belet Weyne and adjacent areas, and recommended the activation of the evacuation plans for the town and surrounding areas.

In Puntland, heavy rains and floods destroyed a camp for internally displaced people and it also cut off electricity and internet connections in the state's north Gaalkacyo neighborhood.

The UNICEF has said that in 2022 alone, the drought crisis in Somalia had caused 43 000 excess deaths, with half of these deaths occurring in children who are younger than 5 years.

The said figure is higher than that in the first year of the 2017-2018 drought crisis, where the death toll was estimated at 31,400 deaths over the first 12 months of this crisis period.