MOGADISHU – The UN’s food and agriculture organization is warning of heavy rains and flash floods in most parts of the nation’s southern and northern regions in the coming week.
Regions near Juba and Shabelle rivers will experience heavy rains, while central and northern parts of the country will have moderate to high rains in coming days, said the FOA report.
With the exception of the northeastern regions, the country has received heavy rains last week, causing thousands of people to abandon their submerged homes and seek refuge in areas outside flood-affected cities.
More than 4,000 people have so far been displaced in Belet Weyne town, which received a 103.0 mm rainfall last week.
Flash floods and inundation have also affected settlements for the internally displaced people in Baidoa, Banadir and Galgaduud, said the report.
“Given the forecast and the current high river levels, riverine flooding is likely to continue in the coming week,” said the report that is valid until May 1. “Flash floods are also likely to occur in low-lying build up areas especially in Mudug, Bay and Bakool regions during the forecast period.”
Ethiopian highlands, which are the source of Shabelle and Juba rivers, have recently received moderate to heavy rains, said the report.
“Observed river levels at Belet Weyne are currently above the high flood risk level and 0.18m away from bank full level,” said the forecast, adding that the Shabelle river water levels remained high over the last week and is expected to continue rising posing a high risk of flooding to Jowhar town and surrounding areas.
Belet Weyne, which is Hiiraan region’s main city, is situated in a low-lying area and during rainy seasons the water of more than 20 nearby valleys flow into it. The Shabelle river also runs through the middle of the city.
“Given the rainfall forecast and the high river levels,” said the report, “flooding along the Shabelle in the coming week especially in the middle and lower reaches will continue.”