Mahaday Residents Fear River Shabelle to Burst Its Banks

The residents in Mahaday district of Middle Shabelle are expressing concern over the increasing water of River Shabelle.

Sources told Goobjoog that the river Shabelle is about to burst its banks and would cause severe flooding.

The district commissioner, Ahmed Hussein Afrah speaking to Goobjoog News that there is high fear that Shabelle River might filled to the brim with frenzied heavy flushing water as heavy rains has been experienced in some parts of the country for last 24 hours may increase levels of the Shabelle River that could mean severe floods downstream.

“The river is extending for 32 km through the district as it passes along many villages in the district and that may expose danger because the river can cause floods anytime” he said.

People who were previously affected by the flooding is now facing yet another disaster in the face of other challenges in life.

They also stand to lose their crop if the flooding happens and they are appealing for outside help to avert potential disaster.

In 2014, the district has experienced the worst floods that laid Mahaday town under waters that has led to the loss of human life, destruction of crops and loss of hundreds livestock. Water borne diseases also killed dozens during the disaster.

The impoverished horn of Africa nation lacks capacity to deal with natural disasters after more than two decades of civil war that destroyed the country’s economic infrastructure.

The country often relies on aid agencies to deal with the natural disasters; with UN officials often accuse local officials of corruption that may hamper efforts to reach the victims of catastrophes.