Report says at least seven people has died after heavy overnight rainfall caused severe flooding in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, on Friday, May 9, 2025.
The flooding affected several districts, destroying homes and damaging key infrastructure across the city, according to local officials.
Saleh Hassan, spokesperson for the mayor of Mogadishu, confirmed the fatalities and described the damage as widespread and devastating.
He said the storm collapsed nine homes and left 200 families with flooded residences in Wadajir and Hodan districts.
Two of the victims were women, while others included children caught in the rising floodwaters late Friday.
Authorities recovered the body of a young boy on Saturday from debris along one of the city’s damaged streets.
“I was hoping the water would spit him out, but all was in vain,” said local resident Nuradin Mohammed.
He and friends searched through the rubble using hammers and spades before retrieving the boy’s body Saturday morning.
Flooding also destroyed sections of six major roads, disrupting traffic and isolating some neighborhoods in Mogadishu.
Emergency crews and volunteers worked through the night to clear debris and assist stranded residents across affected areas.
Officials warned that blocked drainage systems worsened the situation, causing water levels to rise rapidly in low-lying zones.
Eyewitnesses described how floodwaters swept through homes, forcing families to flee barefoot through knee-deep water.
“I grabbed my children and ran. Everything we owned is under water,” said one resident of Wadajir district.
Somalia’s government deployed rescue teams and began assessing the full extent of damage across the capital on Saturday.
Weather forecasts suggest more rain could hit the region in the coming days, raising fears of further devastation.
The Somali Red Crescent and other humanitarian agencies are mobilizing aid for displaced families in flooded neighborhoods.
Mogadishu’s mayor urged residents to remain alert and evacuate if local authorities issue flood warnings again.
“This is not over,” said Hassan. “We must act quickly to prevent more deaths and assist the affected families.”
The United Nations has warned that Somalia remains highly vulnerable to climate shocks and extreme weather events.
Earlier this year, heavy rains caused deadly flash floods in southern Somalia, affecting thousands and displacing entire villages.
Poor urban infrastructure, unplanned housing, and blocked waterways often worsen flood risks during seasonal rains in Mogadishu.
Local authorities have called for international support to improve drainage, emergency response, and disaster preparedness systems.
Many families displaced by the floods are now sheltering in schools, mosques, and government buildings around the city.
Somalia’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs said it is coordinating with NGOs to deliver food, blankets, and medical supplies.
As cleanup efforts continue, residents expressed grief, frustration, and fear over repeated disasters with limited government response.
“I don’t know how we’ll survive this,” said a mother of four, standing outside her ruined home.
Officials say more rain could arrive by Sunday, prompting renewed warnings for vulnerable communities to prepare for potential flooding.
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