FAO warns of imminent floods in Beletweyne as heavy rains persist

Thousands of families in Beletweyne in central Somalia are at the risk of flash floods as water levels in Shabelle river near the brim, the FAO has warned.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) warned Thursday the floods are expected any time soon in Beletweyne and Jowhar towns in HirShabelle state.

“The River levels along the Shabelle River at Belet Weyne today is at 7.74m which is about half a meter away from the bank full level (8.30m),” an update from FAO Thursday read in part.

The UN body said residents of Hawo Tako settlement (Dhagax Jebis and Shaah Macaan) in the district were already evacuating.

In Jowhar, FAO said, the river level has remained at the high flood risk level of 5.30m for the last one week.

Over 300,000 people in Beletweyne were uprooted from their homes by floods which also killed scores of people and damaged homes.

The recurrent floods which also affect the Jubba river basin have over the years resulted in losses of human life and livelihoods with no sustainable solution in place.

“The rainfall forecast for the coming week is for increased rainfall in the southern regions as well as the Ethiopian highlands. In the next three days, moderate to heavy rains are expected in  these regions,” FAO added.