23-009-RO Alert Notes Flooding in Somalia

SORADA and ORGANISATIONEN FOR FRED OG UDVIKLING I DET SYDLIGE SOMALIA (OFUSS) have submitted alerts due to the flooding in Somalia.

The crisis is affecting Beletweyne district of Hirshabelle state of Somalia. The crisis greatly affects the low-lying areas of the district that are proximate to the river Shabelle and largely used for agricultural alongside livestock production.

Moderate rains received in Shabelle River catchment in the Ethiopian highlands and light rains observed in the areas around the Ethiopian border have sustained a steady rise in levels along Shabelle River. Between 5th and 10th of May 2023, 40.5 mm of cumulative rainfall has been received in Beletweyne: 22 mm on 5th, 8.5 mm on 6th and 10 mm on 8th May 2023. The river levels at Beletweyne steadily increased from 6.38m on 26th April to 7.90m as reported on (8th May 2023). On Tuesday, 9^thMay 2023, the level was 60 cm above the high flood risk level (7.30 m) and just 40 cm below the bank full (8.30m) threshold. The river flow is hitting the deck of two bridges in Beletweyne and causing river overflowing the banks and leading to flooding in Beletweyne town and its surrounding areas. The Shabelle River has burst its banks flooding parts of the town of Beletweyne, the capital of Hiran region. It flooded several villages in Beledweyne. The floods affected Koshin, Howlwadaag, and Bundaweyn villages after the river broke its banks, carrying a lot of water for the past few days. These same villages were also affected by floods in 2019. Residents have already started to move away from the town to the highlands on the outskirts of the city. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported. The increasing water level is flowing over one of the main bridges in the city of Beledweyn namely Liqliaqato Bridge.