In a tragic turn of events, flash flooding in Somalia has claimed the lives of 50 people and forced nearly 700,000 individuals from their homes, as reported by a government official. The situation is expected to exacerbate with heavy rains forecasted to persist from Tuesday onwards, adding to the woes of a country already grappling with the impacts of severe weather.
The Horn of Africa region is currently in the grip of torrential rainfall and floods attributed to the El Nino weather phenomenon. These adverse weather conditions have led to widespread displacement and loss of life across the region, particularly in Somalia. The relentless downpours have not only destroyed critical infrastructure like bridges but have also submerged residential areas, leaving communities in dire straits.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Mohamud Moalim Abdullahi, the director of the Somali Disaster Management Agency, disclosed the grim statistics, stating, “Fifty people died in the disaster… while 687,235 people were forced to flee their houses.” He went on to express concerns about the anticipated rains between November 21st and 24th, warning of the potential for further flooding, loss of life, and destruction.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlighted the alarming escalation of the crisis, noting that the number of displaced people in Somalia has nearly doubled in just one week. The overall impact of the disaster has affected 1.7 million people, with damaged infrastructure hampering the movement of both people and supplies. This has, in turn, led to a surge in prices for basic commodities.
Save the Children, a British charity, reported on Thursday that over 100 people, including 16 children, have lost their lives, and more than 700,000 have been displaced in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia due to flash flooding. The dire situation in the Horn of Africa is further exacerbated by the region’s vulnerability to climate change, marked by an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
The region is still recovering from the grips of the worst drought in four decades, characterized by multiple failed rainy seasons that left millions in need and devastated crops and livestock. Humanitarian organizations are sounding the alarm, emphasizing the urgent need for global intervention as the El Nino weather phenomenon is expected to persist until at least April 2024. The situation remains critical, and concerted efforts are required to mitigate the ongoing crisis and address the long-term challenges posed by climate change in the Horn of Africa.