Somalia Faces Tragedy: Torrential Rains Claim 7 Lives

An overwhelming storm brought severe flooding to Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, leading to the deaths of at least seven individuals late Friday. The situation arose from excessive rainfall overtaxing the city's drainage capabilities, coupled with an increasing urban populace.

Abdinasir Hirsi Idle, representing the local government, provided updates to The Associated Press on Saturday, confirming ongoing rescue operations.

"There's potential for more casualties," he warned, "given the torrential downpour, spanning hours and dismantling nine homes while significantly damaging six primary routes."

Historically, Somalia has been vulnerable to climate extremes, including enduring droughts and intense rainy seasons leading to severe flooding.

The recent downfall, which persisted for approximately eight hours, resulted in floodwaters reaching waist level. Some residents were stranded in their homes while others fled to elevated areas.

According to Mohamed Hassan, a local, "Many older individuals remain trapped. We spent the night atop roofs, trembling from cold, without having breakfast yet."

Flood damage affected critical infrastructure, suspending public transportation and momentarily halting operations at Aden Abdulle International Airport. Later, officials confirmed that flights had resumed.

As of yet, the Somali Disaster Management Agency has not declared an official death count, although evaluations are ongoing to assess the damage.

The Ministry of Energy and Water shared on Saturday that over 115 mm of rain fell in consecutive hours, warning of impending flash floods in regions beyond the capital.