Heavy rains in Lower Shabelle have caused the River Shabelle to burst its banks causing flooding in Irdoole and Awgooye locations near Afgoye town.
Ilyaas Ali Tifow, a vegetable farmer in Irdoole, lost three hectares of crops, including spinach. He said he had invested 9.8 million Somali shillings, roughly $450.
“I am badly affected by the floods. My family depends on this farm for its daily bread. I have no other job and no source of income,” said Ilyas. He also lost his harvest from last season, which was stored in underground silos that were flooded.
Irdoole has been virtually cut off due to the floods and lack of good roads.
Hassan Omar Ibrahim lost his investment of seven million Somali shillings ($320) on his farm.
“We planted beans, maize, tomatoes and pumpkins among other vegetables. Everything was washed away,” Ibrahim said. He was now earning small amounts of cash doing casual work on other farms in the area that had not been affected.
More than 50 families have been displaced as a result of the flooding in Araarmoog, Warta Sagaal Gacal, Dan-makaa-lihi, Haartoy and adjacent areas.
Khadija Hussein Hassan and her five children were displaced from Dan-makaa-lihi after their three-roomed makeshift house became waterlogged. She is currently living in a rented room in Awgooye.
“I am getting some casual jobs doing pruning on fruit farms in the morning, which helps me pay the rent and bring food for the children,” she said.
Other communities near the banks of the river including Mareerrey and Beled-Amiin are worried about their own safety and that of their property.
