Hiiraan Online
Tuesday May 1, 2018
Mogadishu (HOL) - At least one person killed and another is missing after they were swept away by floodwaters on Monday evening in Hargeisa, the capital administrative of the breakaway Somaliland.
The victims, all from the same family, were said to have been into their house when they have swept away.
Ahmed Qarane, the father of the family said his wife and her two children were swept away after heavy floods hit their Iron-sheet house in Quda'a-Dher neighbourhood which is located south of Hargeisa.
"The floods swept away the mother who was carrying a kid on her back and a young girl. We retrieved the body of the girl and the mother (alive but unconscious) who is a critical condition but the infant is yet be found," said Qorane.
Since the beginning of the rainy season, more than 8 people have drowned in central and northern Somalia as the country continues receiving unprecedented rains.
About 100,000 people in the county have been displaced while 400 others are still marooned in Beledweyne, Jowhar and Bulaburde towns after River Shabelle breached its banks.
Somali President, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo who visited Beledweyne town on Monday has pledged to support the residents of Hiiraan region after he assessed the damaged caused by the floods that hit the entire town leading the complete displacement.
"I came here in Beledweyne town to share with you the pains and the sufferings you are undergoing. I know that over 100,000 residents had their homes and staying in outskirts of the town while others are marooned on the flooded town," said Farmajo during his visit in Beledweyne town of Hiiraan region.
Somali government on Saturday formed Flood Respond Committee who will assess the situation of the flood-hit areas in the country.
The 22-member committee will be led by Deputy Prime Minister, Mohamed Mohamed Guled.
Ahmed Mohamed Adan
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