Humanitarian Catastrophe Looms as Floods Affect Several Regions of Somalia

Somalia is periodically affected by various forms of natural and manmade hazards. Notably, floods are one of the most devastating natural hazards in the country, causing tremendous loss of lives and extensive damage to agriculture, human, livestock and local economies.

Juba – Shabelle River Basin is the source of the two most significant rivers (Jubba and Shabelle) in the country that provide water for crop production, livestock and for domestic use.

Location of Juba and Shabelle River Basin with Elevations (m)

However, floods are a common phenomenon in the riverine areas of the Juba and Shabelle River basin during the two main rainy seasons of Somalia Gu (April to June) and Deyr (October to December).

Factors other than weather that have played a major role in causing the increased frequency of floods in the riverine areas is alterations in the natural environment over the past 27 years by increasing erosion rates which in turn results sedimentation in river channel making rivers shallower causing floods to occur even with low amounts of rainfall.

These regions have a hot and arid climate and a short rainy season with occurrences of intense downpour can result in flash floods which triggers disasters in these regions because of the lack of warning and prevention measures.

The Gu 2023 rainy season started off two to four weeks earlier than normal in many parts of the country during the month of March and significant rainfall continued thereafter.

Several regions recorded normal to above normal rains which marked the end of protracted drought across much of the country. However, the Southern parts of the country recorded the highest amounts of reinfal for the first two months.

The heavy rains seen during the Gu 2023, rainy season within the Juba river basins inside Somalia and in the Ethiopian highlands translated to increased water levels in Jubba region of Somalia.

Massive displacement

The subsequent flooding caused by these heavy rainfalls have led to fatalities, massive displacement, and damage to infrastructure and farmlands.

The Deyr season 2023 started two to three weeks earlier.

The current floods are some of the worst ever seen in the riverine areas, and the current water level exceeds a 50-year return period in most locations.

Flooding has occurred in several riverine areas of Gedo, especially Luuq, Dollow, Buurdhubo and Baardhere where most of these districts have been effected by floods.

Juba River at Luuq and Baardhere towns has been rising since late October at an unprecedented rate in just few days in October and sustained bank-full levels in several locations through November, causing flooding much earlier in the season.

Thousands of people have been affected by floods in Luuq, Buurdhubo and Baardhere in November and some of the affected populations were already IDPs living in low-lying displacement camps since 2016’s devastating drought and food crisis.

The flooding has also contaminated a number of water sources thus raising concerns of malaria and cholera outbreaks.

Map showing districts affected by floods in Gedo Region.

The assessed locations reported that floods have impacted the population living in the settlements where approximately 7000 households living in the assessed villages, of these nearly 85% have been severely affected.

More than 6,000 children who live in the camps were directly affected by the floods and over 120 people were reported injured by floods, and more than 11,000 families displaced within Baardhere district and others within the settlement in surrounding areas.

Impact on Infrastructure

Bardere bridge which connected the two sides of the town (East and West) has completely collapsed due to heavy flooding. The heavy downpour has also led to collapse of electricity cables plunging most of the area into darkness.

Also, Lake Kurman galley, located at the Southern part of the district has overflown due to the heavy rains flooding the main market and the Baardhere business centre causing massive shortage of goods and crucial services to the residents.

Also, road transport in the area has been cut off.

Transport using Boat and Donkey Kurman Village due to flooding.

The flood also has caused extensive damages to the shelter and infrastructure with Over 5,000 households shelters destroyed. The affected households have resorted to thatches and maize stalks to construct makeshift shelters.

Most of their properties and livestock have been swept away hence the residents have lost their sources of income and are now staring at poverty.

Several villages have been submerged by water.

Food Shortage

With most of te farmalds now submerged by the floods and food crops destroyed, the residents now face a severe immediate and long-term food shortage and also poses a larger food security challenge to the nation at large.

At the same time, several health facilities within Bardhere district have been affected by flooding posing a crisis as most of the residents now cannot access crucial medical services also caused by distruption of transportation to other areas.

The Gedo General Hospital submerged by water making it impossible to render crucial medical services.