Friday November 3, 2023
Kismayo (HOL) - Floods have led to the displacement of hundreds of families in the Gedo region after the Jubba River flooded several major districts in the area over the past few hours.
The floods affected the districts of Luuq, Dolow, and Bardhere, resulting in significant damage to agricultural lands. Local officials attribute the flooding to heavy rains in the southern part of the country, including the Jubbaland regions.
However, there have been no reported human casualties, but the agricultural land has been severely impacted.
Last week, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that flash floods caused by heavy rains claimed the lives of at least four people in South West and Galmudug regional states of Somalia.
Three people died in the Baidoa district in southwest Somalia, and a 13-year-old girl drowned in a village in Galmudug state, the central part of the country, OCHA said in the report titled "Somalia: Deyr rainy season 2023 Flash Update No. 2", adding that the seasonal Deyr (October to December) rains and related flash floods continue to be reported in several parts of the country.
Preliminary reports from partners and community elders in Baidoa indicate that the rains and flash floods have affected at least 122,000 people, or 20,347 families, since October 4. This includes 92,000 internally displaced people residing in 178 settlements in the district.