Floods Hit Somalia
11/2/2009 10:45 AM
Flash floods caused by four days of torrential rains have displaced more than 15,000 people in Kenya.
The southwestern town of El-Waq near the Kenyan border is almost
By Raychel
Harvey-Jones
AccuWeather.com
Flash floods caused by four days of torrential rains have displaced more than 15,000 people in Kenya.
The southwestern town of El-Waq near the Kenyan border is almost totally submerged most homes and businesses are under water according to local
reporters.
A local resident said "Most of the town is under water, with people moving to higher ground around the town," according to IRIN news.
A house marooned by floods water is seen
after heavy rain near Garsen town, 180 kilometers (112 miles) north of Mombasa, Kenya, Friday, Oct. 30, 2009. (AP Photo)
Local authorities have
made it a priority to move people to higher ground, with women, children and the elderly being a priority.
She said mothers with small children and the elderly were being given priority in the provision of shelter material. Shelters are fully open, however
there are very few volunteers to assist the growing numbers
"We are all in the open now with very little help. We don't have much so we have to give first to the weakest." Said Ali Hassan a civil society
activist.
A growing number of livestock have reportedly died due to the ongoing rains. Hundreds of goats and sheep weakened by the drought have succumbed to
the rains and the cold weather.
Whilst much of Somalia has been waiting for rain, this heavy an amount at one time is detrimental.
some 900 displaced families (5,400 people) from Mogadishu, any higher ground in the area is now occupied.
Development Frontier International, are trying to dig trenches to allow the water to drain from the town.
He said his group was organizing the population to alert them to any more danger.
Those who remain in
low-lying areas were also being told to move to higher ground. Shelter
materials are urgently needed, and this far there has been no government intervention.
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