Floods kill 25, injure 47 in Somalia, says WHO

[Deeq A.]

Floods have killed at least 25 people and injured 47 others as heavy rains continue to wreak havoc in Somalia, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

The WHO said the heavy rains pounding several parts of Somalia have displaced more than 270,000 people, destroying livelihoods and infrastructure in the country.

“Heavy rains have led to the displacement of over 270,000 people, including 25 deaths and 47 injured,” WHO Somalia said in a tweet.

“In this devastating situation, WHO Somalia is providing life-saving emergency health interventions,” it added.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that more than 547,000 people have been affected by the floods.

The UN humanitarian agency said the water levels in the Shabelle river have increased, reaching and exceeding the maximum holding capacity in Beledweyne town, which resulted in the displacement of 232,000 people.

Most riverine areas along the Juba and Shabelle rivers across Hirshabelle, Jubaland and southwest states have been inundated.

The rainfall forecast for the coming week shows an increase in many parts of Somalia, according to the Somalia Water and Land Information Management, managed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

As a result, the current high river levels in Shabelle and flash flooding are expected to continue in the coming week.

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