Somalia: 2025 Gu (April to June) Seasonal Floods - Flash Update No. 2 (as of 30 April 2025)

This Flash Update is prepared by OCHA, in coordination with humanitarian partners and authorities in Somalia and covers flash floods in the country as of 30 April 2025. The next update will be issued as soon as additional information is available.

HIGHLIGHTS

• On 28 April, the Shabelle River broke its banks due to human-induced breakages in Jowhar district, Middle Shabelle region, displacing more than 6,000 people and inundating over 3,820 hectares. The displaced families have sought refuge in makeshift camps on higher ground.
• In Galmudug State, light to moderate rains on 29 April, led to flash floods in some parts of Gaalkacyo town. Authorities and partners report that the floods affected over 9,570 displaced people in 14 living in makeshift shelters in both Gaalkacyo north and south.
• Since 15 April, localised flash flood have affected over 45,000 people and swept away four people across Somalia; two children and a woman in Iskushuban district of Bari region, Puntland, and a12-year old girl in Baidoa, South West State.
• The flooding is occurring at a time when partners, especially national non-governmental agencies that are often the frontline responders, are facing crippling funding reductions that have severely limited their ability to respond to emerging needs

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The Shabelle River broke its banks on 28 April in Jowhar district, Hirshabelle State, resulting in flooding that displaced about 1,020 households (over 6,100 people), and submerged over 3,820 hectares of farmland in at least five villages, namely Gaafaay, Muryaale, Beeyxaaw, IJI, and Nuurkaay. The flooding, due to breakages associated with riverbank breaches for irrigation, swept away homes and inundated crops, disrupting livelihoods in one of Somalia’s most agriculturally vital regions. Displaced families have sought refuge in makeshift camps on higher ground, and are facing acute shortages of food, clean water, and healthcare. In Galmudug State, light to moderate rains on 29 April, led to flash floods in some parts of Gaalkacyo town. Authorities and partners report that the floods affected over 9,570 displaced people in 14 living in makeshift shelters in both Gaalkacyo north and south. The rains have, however, brought relief following six months of prolonged dry conditions by replenishing water points and pasture.

Since 15 April, flash floods due to heavy to moderate rains in Somalia have affected over 45,000 people and swept away four people including two children and a woman in Iskushuban district of Bari region, and a 12-year old girl died in Baidoa. The most affected regions are Bari and Nugaal in Puntland. According to a weekly forecast by the FAO-managed Somalia Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM) project released on 30 April, light to moderate rainfall is anticipated over south-central Somalia, while predominantly dry conditions will persist across Somaliland and Puntland. River levels along the Shabelle River will likely continue rising moderately, but remain below natural flooding thresholds, with human-induced flooding ongoing downstream of Jowhar. The Juba River will fluctuate but will remain below flood risk levels.