On Wednesday, the Puntland Regional State issued a warning forecasting heavy rains from April 24th to April 30th in several areas, including Qardho, Qandala, Ufayn, and Almiskad mountains.The press release from the Puntland Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management stated that these districts are expected to experience torrential rainfall, with rains also predicted along the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea in Puntland.The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has advised communities to be cautious and vigilant of local drainage areas in both rural and urban areas.The district of Qardho is considered the most vulnerable, having been affected by conflict and heavy rains in the past two years, causing tremendous damage to the district’s infrastructure and leaving several people homeless.
Qardho is situated in a water channel, and the floods of the last two years have been devastating to the district’s infrastructure, resulting in homes and properties being destroyed.The situation has left the district greatly concerned about the potential flooding, and they have been advised to take the necessary precautions to mitigate any effects of the heavy rains.The Puntland Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management is expected to stay engaged and monitor the situation and provide any necessary assistance in responding to the needs of the affected communities.The government remains committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of citizens, even in the face of such natural disasters, and it will continue to do its best to provide meaningful support to the communities most affected.
This warning serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing emergency preparedness and response strategies in the face of natural disasters to guarantee the safety, security, and wellbeing of citizens.Such measures include proactive measures like effective urban planning, the development of early warning systems, and provision of adequate funding for disaster response plans.
According FAO several areas in southern Somalia are expected to observe moderate (above 50 mm) to heavy (above 100 mm) cumulative rainfall during the forecast period. The spatial variation of the cumulative rainfall amounts is as follows: Heavy rainfall of between 100 mm and 150 mm is expected in some areas of southern Somalia including Ceel Waaq district and eastern parts of Bardheere district in Gedo region, eastern parts of Diinsoor district in Bay region, northern parts of Saakow district, southern parts of Buáale district and northern parts of Jilib district in Middle Juba region, and western parts of Jamaame district, southeastern parts of Afmadow district, north parts of Kismaayo and most parts of Badhaadhe district in Lower Juba region. Very heavy isolated rainfall of above 150 mm is likely in some of the above areas particularly over the eastern parts of Bardheere district in Gedo region and southeastern parts of Bu’aale district in Middle Juba region
Dry conditions are expected in central and northern parts of the country including Bari, Nugaal and Sool regions, several areas in Awdal, Sanaag, central and southern parts of Togdheer region, northern and southern parts of Woqooyi Galbeed region, and vast non-coastal parts of Mudug region. Moderate temperatures of between 24 oC and 28 oC are expected in north and eastern parts of the country with cold conditions (temperatures less than 20 oC) likely very isolated areas in northern Sanaag and Bari regions. Moderate temperatures of between 28 ℃ and 32 ℃ are expected over central and southern Somalia.
