Somalia: Gu rainy season 2023 Flash Floods Update No. 2 (3 April 2023)

Key Highlights

• Nearly 100,000 people have been affected by heavy rains and flash flooding in several areas of Somalia over the last week. The flooding has come at a time that Somalia has been experiencing severe drought.

• The worst affected district is Baardheere in Jubaland State; 21 people including six children have reportedly been killed. More than 13,000 families (about 78,000 people) have been affected; shelters for 8,945 families (about 53,600 people) were damaged or destroyed.

• Moderate to heavy rains in the Ethiopian highlands is the main driver of rising levels of the Shabelle and Juba rivers. Belet Weyne town and surrounding areas are under watch for floods as more water flows in from Ethiopia.

• Clusters are activating a flood preparedness and response plan. In Belet Weyne, local NGOs and authorities are raising flood- awareness among communities living in low-lying areas.

Situation Overview

Three weeks after the early start of the Gu rains (April to June) in Somalia, nearly 100,000 people have been affected by heavy showers and flash floods in several areas. The worst affected district is Baardheere in Jubaland State, where 21 people, including six children, are reported to have died since 22 March. An inter-agency assessment by partners and authorities in Baardheere found that more than 13,000 families (about 78,000 people) have been affected, with shelters of 8,945 families (about 53,600 people) damaged or destroyed. The floods also destroyed six health facilities, 200 latrines and four schools. Over 1,000 hectares of farmland have been swamped and learning has been disrupted for over 3,000 children. In the north, in Togdheer and Awdal regions, two people have reportedly been killed by flash floods.

Moderate to heavy rains in the Ethiopian highlands are the main cause for increasing levels of the Shabelle and Juba rivers. According to the Somalia Water and Land Information Management unit (SWALIM), the sharp increase in the river levels is a concern for flood-prone areas. With more waters coming from the Ethiopian highlands, Belet Weyne district in Hiraan Region, is under watch for floods in the coming few days. Already some flooding is reported in Raqayle and Buurfuule villages in Jowhar district. Furthermore, the risk of flooding along the Juba River is high this week, as the flood wave moves downstream. The heavy rains and flooding have come following five seasons of drought that has displaced more than 1.4 million Somalis and killed 3.8 million livestock since mid-2021. While the rains and river waters will bring some relief to drought-affected communities, the protracted nature of the drought and projections showing a 50 per cent likelihood that the Gu rains will be below normal with warmer than normal surface temperatures over much of the country, mean drought impacts will continue to be felt.