Hassan Istiila
Thursday April 25, 2024
Jowhar (HOL) - Shabelle River has flooded multiple areas
near Jowhar town in the Middle Shabelle region over the past few hours, according
to the local officials.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture in Hirshabelle, Mohamed
Bashir Qasim Daqare, stated that the floods have affected several areas,
including Baarey, Marerey, Kukaay, Mandere, Hawadley, and Bayahaw.
"Despite concerted efforts by local authorities to
prevent the river from flooding, the substantial rainfall across the country
has caused the river to overflow," he added.
Two days prior, the Somali Disaster Management Agency
(SoDMA) issued early flood warnings, anticipating impacts in the final week of
April. SoDMA emphasized potential consequences in districts such as Jowhar,
Beledweyn, Buulaburde, Luuq, Dolow, and other major towns, especially in
regions where rivers do not typically flow, notably Bay, Bakool, Gedo, and
Lower Juba.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has also sounded alarms. On Sunday, they projected
that the upcoming Gu rains and ensuing floods across 22 districts in Somalia
could affect approximately 770,000 people.