Severe Flash Flooding in Somalia Displaces Thousands

Disaster Overview : Since late April 2020, Somalia has experienced intense rains that have led to significant flooding across multiple regions including South West State, Jubaland, Bandir, Puntland, and Somaliland. The swollen rivers have caused riverine flooding, particularly in the Juba and Shabelle river basins. The heavy rains began with the onset of the Gu’ rains and have been further exacerbated by forecasted rainfall in both Somalia and neighboring Ethiopia. The floods come on the heels of the Deyr rains that had previously inundated the country and amid ongoing challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and a desert locust infestation.