Heavy Deyr Rains Raise Flash Flood Concerns in Hargeisa

GOOBJOOG NEWS | HARGEISA: Heavy seasonal rains have begun falling in Hargeisa and surrounding areas, raising concerns about flash floods as weather forecasts warn of further rainfall across parts of Somaliland.

The Somaliland Information Management Centre (IMC) forecast moderate to very heavy rainfall between October 7 and 13 in parts of Borama, Gabiley, Hargeisa, Sheikh and Burao. Some areas could receive between 150 and 250 millimetres of accumulated rainfall, increasing the risk of flooding, particularly in low-lying areas and communities near seasonal water channels.

The danger has already become apparent in Hargeisa, where floodwaters swept away a vehicle carrying two people who were reportedly rescued. The incident occurred after the occupants allegedly ignored a police warning about the road conditions, highlighting the risks of attempting to drive through fast-moving water.

Regional seasonal forecasts also indicate the possibility of above-average rainfall across parts of the region during the October-to-December period. However, the precise distribution and intensity of rainfall remain uncertain, and forecasts do not mean that all areas will experience flooding.

Hargeisa is particularly vulnerable to flash floods because of its hilly terrain, the seasonal streams that cross the city and limitations in parts of its drainage system. Intense rainfall can cause water to move rapidly through channels and across roads, creating hazards for motorists, pedestrians and residents living near waterways.

The latest outlook has renewed attention on the need for authorities to clear drainage channels, mark dangerous roads and ensure that early warnings reach communities living along seasonal streams. Residents are also being urged to take flood warnings seriously and avoid crossing flooded roads or attempting to drive through fast-moving water.

The warnings come as communities across the Horn of Africa prepare for the Deyr rainy season, which typically runs from October through December and is an important period for agriculture and water supplies but can also bring destructive flooding.

Although some forecasts have raised the possibility of an unusually strong El Niño-related weather pattern, the scale and local effects of any such development remain uncertain. The immediate concern for Hargeisa is the risk posed by heavy rainfall and rapidly rising floodwaters in vulnerable parts of the city.