At least Four People Die in flash floods in Somalia

In the wake of heavy rainfall, Somalia has experienced devastating flash floods resulting in the loss of at least four lives, as reported by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in its recent situational update.

The casualties included three individuals in the Baidoa district, situated in the southwest of Somalia, and a tragic incident in a village in Galmudug state, central Somalia, where a 13-year-old girl lost her life due to drowning. OCHA has noted that the nation continues to grapple with seasonal rains and associated flash floods, impacting various regions.

Preliminary assessments conducted by partners and community leaders in Baidoa reveal that since October 4, approximately 122,000 people, equivalent to 20,347 families, have been adversely affected by these relentless rains and flash floods. Alarmingly, this figure encompasses 92,000 internally displaced individuals residing in 178 settlements within the district, highlighting the widespread impact on vulnerable communities.

OCHA has underscored the collaborative efforts of humanitarian partners and relevant government agencies in executing emergency response measures, enhancing preparedness, and implementing anticipatory actions where feasible. Notably, displaced populations, predominantly residing in low-lying areas, remain highly susceptible to the threat of flooding.

The United Nations agency has estimated that a staggering 1.2 million individuals and 1.5 million hectares of productive land in Somalia are currently at significant risk of flooding, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive and coordinated disaster management strategies.