At least seven people die as heavy rains leave waist-high floodwaters in Somalia's capital
At least seven people have died and major roads were cut off after heavy rains led to flooding in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, on Friday night due to an overwhelmed drainage system and a growing urban population.
The regional administration spokesperson, Abdinasir Hirsi Idle, told The Associated Press on Saturday that rescue efforts were ongoing.
'The death toll could rise because the rains were heavy and lasted for several hours, causing nine houses to collapse across different neighborhoods, and at least six major roads to suffer severe damage,' he said.
Get daily National news
Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
Somalia has in the past suffered extreme climate shocks that include prolonged dry seasons that have caused drought and heavy rains that have resulted in floods.
Friday's rains went on for about eight hours, leaving waist-high waters in neighborhoods where some residents were trapped and others were forced to move to higher ground.
Story continues below advertisement
A resident, Mohamed Hassan, told the AP that some older people were still trapped.
'We spent the night on rooftops, shivering from the cold, and I haven't even had breakfast,' he said.
Floodwaters also damaged key infrastructure, halting public transport and temporarily disrupting operations at the main airport, Aden Abdulle International Airport. Officials later confirmed flights had resumed operations.
The Somali Disaster Management Agency has not yet released an official death toll but said assessment was underway to determine the extent of the damage.
The country's energy and water ministry in a statement on Saturday said, 'a substantial amount of rainfall, exceeding 115 mm, was recorded in over 8 consecutive hours' and warned of flash floods in other regions outside the capital.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Star
36 minutes ago
- Toronto Star
Spanish Muslims retrace ancient Hajj route on horseback from Andalusia to Mecca
CAIRO (AP) — Three Spanish pilgrims performing the Hajj in Saudi Arabia rode on horseback to Mecca, traveling thousands of kilometers in snow and rain and along a path they said had not been trekked for more than 500 years. Abdelkader Harkassi Aidi, Tarek Rodriguez and Abdallah Rafael Hernandez Mancha set out from southern Spain in October, riding through France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Syria and Jordan to arrive in Saudi Arabia in May.
Toronto Star
2 hours ago
- Toronto Star
A 6.4 magnitude earthquake hits northern Chile, with no reports of casualties
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck northern Chile on Friday, causing minor infrastructure damage and cutting power to over 20,000 people. Authorities have not reported any casualties following the tremor. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake hit at 1:15 p.m. local time (5:15 p.m. GMT) at a depth of 76 kilometers (47 miles). Its epicenter was located near the coast of the Atacama Desert.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
A 6.4 magnitude earthquake hits northern Chile, with no reports of casualties
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck northern Chile on Friday, causing minor infrastructure damage and cutting power to over 20,000 people. Authorities have not reported any casualties following the tremor. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake hit at 1:15 p.m. local time (5:15 p.m. GMT) at a depth of 76 kilometers (47 miles). Its epicenter was located near the coast of the Atacama Desert. While the quake was felt across several communities in the expansive Atacama Desert region, initial reports confirmed no immediate casualties. Chile's Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service said the earthquake's characteristics did not meet the conditions necessary to generate a tsunami along the South American coast. Miguel Ortiz, deputy director of Chile's national disaster response service, Senapred, said the powerful earthquake caused 'minor' infrastructure damage and power disruptions, leaving nearly 23,000 people without electricity. 'Some minor landslides have been recorded, which are being monitored and coordinated with the municipalities,' he said. Ortiz also noted 'some minor landslides,' which are being monitored and coordinated with local municipalities. Chilean President Gabriel Boric, said on X his government was in communication with the regional presidential delegate, and confirmed there were 'no reported casualties.' ____ Follow AP's coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at
