Hassan Istiila
Tuesday April 11, 2023
Beledweyne (HOL) - Residents of Beledweyne town are feeling relieved after the construction of a large dam to prevent the Shabelle River from flooding.
The Norwegian government funded the Kiliga Warabole dam, but the project cost has yet to be disclosed.
As heavy rains hit Ethiopia, the Shabelle River brought water, but the residents are now waiting to see if the dam will prevent flooding during this period.
In the past, when the river was this high, residents used to flee, seeking refuge on higher ground in El-Jale, located on Beledweyne’s outskirts. However, one city resident said they feel less anxious now that the dam was constructed.
"We would have asked for other canals to be repaired because they are crucial for people's lives," said one resident. "We thank the Somali and Norwegian governments for the dam's construction."
Officials from the Hiiraan administration have commended the project's execution, claiming that the dam has accelerated the city's development.
The town was submerged in floodwater every year after the River Shabelle burst its banks, destroying houses, crops, and roads while displacing thousands of families.
Beledweyne was a victim of massive flooding in 1961, just months after the Somali regions gained independence from Italy and Britain. The following major flooding occurred in 1981, exactly 20 years later.