Heavy rainfall in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, resulted in the deaths of at least seven people and significant infrastructure damage. The downpour, which overwhelmed the city’s drainage system, highlighted the challenges faced by an expanding urban population. The regional spokesperson, Abdinasir Hirsi Idle, reported on Saturday that efforts to rescue those affected by the flooding were still underway.
Concerns are rising that the death toll may increase as the intense rainfall, lasting several hours, led to the collapse of nine homes in various neighborhoods and severely impacted at least six major roadways. Somalia has a history of suffering from extreme climatic events, ranging from extended dry spells causing drought to torrential rains resulting in floods.
Friday’s prolonged downpour continued for approximately eight hours, creating waist-high water levels in several areas, leaving many residents stranded and forcing others to evacuate to safer locations. Local resident Mohamed Hassan shared that some elderly individuals remained trapped, adding, “We spent the night on rooftops, shivering from the cold, and I haven’t even had breakfast.”
The floodwaters also inflicted damage on crucial infrastructure, disrupting public transportation and temporarily halting operations at Aden Abdulle International Airport. Fortunately, flights resumed after the interruption. As of now, the Somali Disaster Management Agency has not released an official death count, but an assessment is being conducted to evaluate the full extent of the damage.
In a statement on Saturday, the country’s energy and water ministry confirmed that the region experienced “a substantial amount of rainfall, exceeding 115 mm, over an eight-hour period.” The ministry also issued warnings about potential flash floods in regions beyond the capital, underscoring the widespread impact of this extreme weather event.