Somalia: 2025 Gu (April to June) Seasonal Floods - Flash Update No.3 (as of 13 May 2025)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Torrential rains in Banadir region on 9 May caused devastating flash floods that killed nine people, affected at least 24,600 people, damaged key infrastructure in several districts and swept away shelters in displacement sites.
• The Federal Government has formed a committee that includes federal ministers, regional officials and the Somali Disaster Management Agency, to respond to the flooding crisis. Clusters and authorities have conducted rapid assessments of the impact.
• Since mid-April, flash floods caused by heavy seasonal rains have killed 17 people and affected over 84,000 people in several areas, especially in Jubaland, Hirshabelle, South West, Galmudug, Puntland states and Banadir region. Critical infrastructure has been damaged.
• Partners have stepped up assistance in affected areas including food, shelter items, hygiene kits and cash assistance. The Somalia Red Crescent Society and local authorities have dewatered critical locations in Gaalkacyo town; local communities are repairing river breakage points in Jowhar district

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Torrential rains in Banadir region caused devastating flash floods that killed nine people on 9 May, according to the authorities. An assessment conducted by the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster on 10 and 11 May in 134 sites in Kahda and Daynille districts found that over 3,810 households (over 22,500 people) were affected by the floods, of which 430 households (2,580 people) were displaced. Nearly 1,100 shelters were destroyed and over 2,620 partially damaged. One temporary learning center was damaged, 14 water points swamped, and 190 latrines destroyed. In addition, 2,000 people were reportedly displaced in Hodan and Wadajir districts. According to the authorities and partners, the rains significantly impacted internally displaced people (IDPs) especially in Kahda, Daynille and Garasbaley districts. The Federal Government has formed a committee that includes ministers, regional officials and the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), to respond to the flooding crisis. An assessment by SoDMA found extensive damage and urgent need for assistance to affected people.

Light to heavy gu (April to June) seasonal rains have triggered localised flooding in several parts of Somalia since mid-April, particularly in Hirshabelle, Galmudug, Jubaland, Puntland, South West states and Banadir region. At least 17 people have died and about 84,000 people have been affected in several districts, of whom about 8,100 have been displaced from their homes; the worst impacted districts being Balcad and Jowhar in Hirshabelle State, and Gaalkacyo in Mudug regionandAfgooye in South West State. In Balcad, flooding on 8 May affected about 620 households (3,720 people), including IDPs in Ceel Geele and Daryeel sites, according to partners. Shelters were destroyed, forcing families into overcrowded sites like Xawo Tako zone and Gargar. The Balcad-Jowhar route was damaged, disrupting the transportation of goods. In Baadhere and Buurdhubo, floods swept away shelters in 54 settlements, forcing affected families to seek refuge with host communities

Reports from Gaalkacyo indicate that rains have affected more than 9,570 displaced people living in makeshift shelters in 14 sites, and killed over 1,750 livestock which will significantly affect livelihoods. In Puntland State, localised flash floods in mid-April temporarily affected 4,500 families (27,000 people) in Bari and Nugaal regions, but subsided after two days. At least 1,500 houses and 11 schools were damaged in Qardho district, disrupting education for 3,700 children. Since then, no other flooding has been reported in the areas that were affected. Partners in South West State report that floods have affected Baidoa, Afgooye and Ceelasha districts, with several villages inundated in Afgooye where the Shabelle River has overflowed its banks. At least 900 families are reportedly affected in Ceelasha and 760 in Baidoa. At least 40 water points, 135 latrines and 11 health facilities have been affected in the State.

More rains are projected in the coming days. According to the weekly weather forecast issued by the FAO-Somalia Water and land information Management (SWALIM) programme for 7 to 13 May, light rains are expected in southern and central parts of Somalia. Heavy to moderate rains are forecasted in Middle Shabelle and coastal parts of Galgaduud and Gaalkacyo, and heavy rains in Adan Yabaal and Ceel Dheer. Intense localised rainfall may trigger flash floods in Adan Yabaal (Middle Shabelle) and Ceel Dheer (Galgaduud).

Despite the ongoing rains and flooding, dry and hot conditions are projected to persist in parts of some regions including Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Sanaag, Togdheer, Bari, Nugaal as well as parts of Mudug, straining water and pasture resources. On a positive note, the rains have significantly improved water and pasture availability in many areas, supporting ongoing agricultural activities and pastoralism, thereby mitigating the effects of recent prolonged dry conditions.