“The death toll from floods in Somalia has risen to 96,” SONNA said in a post on X, adding that the figure was confirmed by Mahamuud Moallim, the head of the country’s disaster management agency.
An aerial view shows flooded fields after heavy rains in Baidoa, Somalia, November 16, 2023. Photo: Reuters
Like the rest of eastern and Horn of Africa, Somalia has been hit by relentless heavy rains since October caused by the El Nino and Indian Ocean weather phenomenon.
Both are climate patterns that affect ocean surface temperatures and cause above-average rainfall. The flooding has been described as the worst in decades and has displaced an estimated 700,000 people, according to the United Nations.
Heavy rains have caused widespread flooding across the country, causing displacement and exacerbating a humanitarian crisis already wrought by years of insurgency.
In neighboring Kenya, flooding has so far killed 76 people, according to the Kenya Red Cross, while also causing widespread evacuations, destroying roads and bridges, leaving many without shelter, drinking water and food supplies.
Mai Van (according to Reuters)
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