Wafric News – May 12, 2025

Mogadishu – Heavy overnight rains battered Somalia’s capital on Friday, unleashing widespread flash floods that have killed at least seven people, destroyed homes, and brought key parts of the city to a standstill.

Authorities say the true scale of the damage may yet rise as rescue operations continue across flood-hit neighborhoods. Speaking to the press on Saturday, Banadir regional administration spokesperson Abdinasir Hirsi Idle confirmed that nine homes had collapsed and six major roads suffered extensive damage.

“The downpour lasted for hours. Some people were trapped inside their homes while others sought safety on rooftops,” Idle said. “The death toll could climb further as assessments are ongoing.”

Mogadishu’s emergency response teams have been deployed since dawn on Saturday to help evacuate affected families and deliver basic supplies, though access to several districts remains limited due to submerged roads.

The intense rains, which pounded the city for over eight hours, left parts of Mogadishu waist-deep in floodwaters. Residents in some of the worst-hit neighborhoods described a terrifying night.

“We spent the night on rooftops, shivering from the cold. Some of our elders are still stuck inside,” said local resident Mohamed Hassan, speaking to WafricNews.

Public transportation across the capital was temporarily halted, while the Aden Abdulle International Airport also suspended operations due to waterlogged runways. Flights later resumed after water levels receded, officials confirmed.

The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources reported that more than 115mm of rain was recorded in a single night—well above normal levels—raising concerns about similar flash flooding in vulnerable regions beyond the capital.

Somalia, already grappling with the effects of prolonged drought and water scarcity, has increasingly found itself at the mercy of climate extremes. Experts warn that rapid swings between dry spells and flash floods are becoming more frequent, placing added strain on fragile urban infrastructure and emergency services.

The Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) has yet to release an official death toll but confirmed that a damage assessment is under way. The agency is also monitoring flood-prone districts in other regions, amid warnings of continued heavy rains in the coming days.

As recovery efforts begin, many in Mogadishu are once again forced to confront the consequences of a changing climate—and the urgent need for more resilient infrastructure.


By WafricNews Desk.