Beledweyne airport closes down due to heavy rains

Ugas Khalif airport in Beledweyne district, the headquarters of Hiran region has closed down due to heavy rains that started before days in the region.

Social services chairman of Hiran region Sheikh Hussein Osman Ali speaking to Goobjoog FM said  the airport was closed due heavy  rain that affected all the facilities including the runway.

Mr. Osman said the airport needs immediate reconstruction so as to promote its services to people adding that they discussed with the ministry of transport and aviation on how to expand and increase the airport’s  power to avoid future flooding.

The flooding from the highland areas in the region turned the airport to a dam hence normal activities came to a standstill.

On the other hand the floods of the rain have affected thousands of internally displaced people in the region whose makeshifts were washed away by the rain water.

The makeshift made of sticks and old rugs cannot withstand the heavy downpour, the IDPs recently affected by the floods of river Shabelle are in desperate condition and appeal for immediate help.