Heavy rainfall in Mogadishu has led to devastating flooding, resulting in the deaths of at least seven people across two districts of the Somali capital. The torrential downpour, which struck on Friday night, caused widespread damage and forced many residents to flee their homes.
According to Saleh Hassan, spokesperson for the Mayor of Mogadishu, the disaster also destroyed nine houses and left approximately 200 families displaced as water flooded their homes.
“We have now confirmed that at least seven people have died, including two women. The rain also collapsed nine houses and filled the houses of 200 families,” Saleh Hassan, a spokesperson for the mayor of Mogadishu, said.
In Wadajir district, families were seen wading through waist-high water as they sought safety from the destruction left behind. The floods have severely affected some of the city’s infrastructure, damaging six key roads and restricting movement within the capital.
Tragically, among the victims was a young boy whose body was found on Saturday amidst the debris. Nuradin Mohammed, a local resident, shared his sorrow as he recounted the search for the child.
“I was hoping the water would spit him out but all was in vain. This morning, my friends joined me with hammers and spades and we managed to remove his body,” local resident Nuradin Mohammed said.