OCHA Somalia - Tropical Cyclone Gati Update #1, As of 23 November 2020 [EN/SO]

Highlights

• Tropical Cyclone Gati made landfall in Somalia on 22 November, primarily impacting 13 villages in Iskushuban district, Bari region, Puntland State.

• Initial reports indicate that eight people have been killed and 70,000 affected, while property and infrastructure has been damaged. In Xaafuun and Hurdiya villages, 15,000 people have been displaced.

• Rapid assessments are being planned to determine actual needs and humanitarian partners are mobilising prepositioned stocks to assist affected people.

Situation overview

Tropical Cyclone Gati made landfall on 22 November at around 2200 hours local time in Puntland’s Bari region. The heavy rains and strong winds triggered flash floods along coastal and inland areas. The hardest hit were 13 villages in Iskushuban district, including Xaafuun, Dul Xaafuun, Dardaare, Garan, Baarmadowe, Hurdiya, Foocaar, Afdhicin, Haluula, Kurduush, Gumbax, Taageer and Xandha. Local authorities report that eight people have been killed and an unknown number injured. In total, an estimated 70,000 people have been affected. In Xaafuun and Hurdiya villages, about 15,000 people have been displaced to higher ground within their neighbourhoods.

Massive damage to property and roads is reported. Telecommunication services have also been affected, especially in Xaafuun, Hurdiya and Baarmadowe. In addition, shipping and fishing activities along the coastal areas of Bari and the Gulf of Aden have been disrupted. An estimated 30 fishermen who were at sea before the cyclone alert was issued are yet to be accounted for.

In Somaliland, light rains were reported in Sanaag region including Laasqoray, Maydh and Xiis towns, as well as in Wogooyi Galbeed, Ceerigaabo and Ceel Afweyn districts, with no damage to property or infrastructure. However, more rains are forecast in parts of Sanaag, Woqooyi Galbeed and Awdal regions following the cyclone. On 22 November, the FAO-Somalia Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM) warned that the severity of the storm could increase as it passes over Somalia. According to SWALIM, the storm poses an immediate threat to the shipping lane that links Somalia and Gulf states.