Floods kill 22 people in Somalia-UN

GOOBJOOG NEWS|SOMALIA: At least 22 people have been killed and over 200,000 others have been displaced in ongoing floods in the country.

The UN humanitarian agency, OCHA said in a brief today that 219,000 have been displaced and 22 killed in 17 districts in the country. The most affected districts are Beletweyne in Hiiraan region of HirShabelle state and Bardheere in Jubaland state.

“The Shabelle river has overflowed its banks, flooding Belet Weyne town and surrounding villages. Thousands of people have been forced to abandon their homes and move to higher ground,” OCHA said.

The UN agency added that the ongoing rains are expected to recharge surface water sources and enable vegetation to regenerate, but it will require much more rainfall to effectively alleviate the impact of the recent drought.

Hiiraan deputy governor Hassan Ibrahim Abdulle said Friday that three people were killed by the floods.