Deadly floods hit Somalia after 40-year drought, displaces 300,000
About 29 people have been reported dead while more than 300,000 others have been forced to flee their homes following what has been described as the worst flood in Somalia after a 40-year drought in the region.
The National Disaster Management Agency has announced its continued efforts to rescue people stranded in the flood waters while anticipating a rise in the death toll and displacement, Somali Guardian reports.
Managing Director of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SOMDA) Hassan Isse has said that “what is going on today is the worst for decades. It is worse than even the 1997 floods.”
Dozens of inhabitants in areas like Luuq town have been completely cut off from neighbouring towns and access to basic necessities.
“Luuq is surrounded by the river and floods are threatening us. People keep fleeing out of the town. Some are still trapped. Our shops have been washed away,” said Ahmed Nur, a trader in Luuq told Somali Guardian.
Neighbouring countries like Kenya are also counting theirlosses suffered from the ripple effect of the floods. Thus far, at least 15 people have been reported dead in Kenya, the Kenyan Red Cross has announced.
