(ERGO) – Around 1,400 families have been displaced from Buulo-Burte area in Hiran region after the Shabelle River flooded again on 18 May.
Buulo-Burte is not normally a flood prone area but heavy downpours that continued for five hours made the river burst its banks.
The commissioner of Buulo-Burte, Abdi Dahir Guure, told Radio Ergo that the water level in the river had risen dramatically and flooded farms across a 25 km distance of the river. The affected areas include Libiweyne, Jamaaco, Mubaarak, Qobar and Gal-madoobe, all in Buulo-Burte district.
In one spot, a stretch of 20 metres of the river bank collapsed, the commissioner said, and the ongoing flooding made repair too difficult.
Some families left their homes as soon as the first flooding occurred but had to shift again when the flood waters rose to reach the places their new settlement. Nimo Abdi, 47, told Radio Ergo she had moved to a third shelter after two previous places she was living in were inundated.
“If the flood water reaches us again in our new house we will not know where to move to!” Nimo said. She has never previously had to flee because of flooding.
Mumino Hassan left her house in Indha- Ceel and lost her house and all her belongings and utensils. She said the family woke up to find water soaking their bedding. She went to get help from her neighbors and got the children to safety but left everything else behind.
The commissioner said families are crowding into areas including Oktober and Hantiwadaag, where the flood waters have not reached. Families there are hosting up to four other families in their compounds.
According to the commissioner, aid workers are transporting stranded people out of the flooded areas. He said there is a shortage of food or clean water and the authorities do not have the capacity to provide services. Roads are blocked and aid may need to be delivered by air.
