HARGEISA (KAAB TV) – Dozens of villagers in the Ina Guuxa, a small rural village located in the south of Hargeisa city, Somaliland, were left homeless after a violent storm struck on Thursday last week, resulting in the destruction of approximately 10 residential buildings, according to the district commissioner.
The storm, accompanied by heavy rainfall, instilled fear and despair among the local villagers.
Fortunately, there were no reported human casualties, but the storm left more than 10 families homeless as their houses succumbed to the force of the wind and rain.
Abdi Haybe, the area commissioner, expressed his concern for the affected families and assured them that necessary measures would be taken to assist them in this difficult time.
Authorities in Hargeisa have highlighted that this storm is part of a larger pattern affecting multiple rural areas in the region, emphasizing the growing impact of climate change.
Meteorologists have pointed out that rising ocean temperatures and increased moisture in the atmosphere are contributing factors that heighten the likelihood of such intense tropical storms.
This recent incident follows a series of natural disasters in Somalia. In April, heavy rainfall, floods, and flash floods wreaked havoc across the country, causing widespread devastation. According to a report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), approximately 170,000 people were affected, with 140,000 individuals displaced in various areas.
The districts hit hardest by these disasters were Baardheere in the Gedo Region and Baidoa in the Bay Region. Flash floods occurring between March and May resulted in the tragic loss of over 21 lives and inflicted significant damage on health and nutrition centers, primary schools, and a secondary school in the affected areas.
These events serve as a stark reminder of the chaos caused by climate change. Droughts have pushed poor and vulnerable communities to the brink of starvation, exacerbating an already dire situation.
Without concerted efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change, the future remains uncertain for those most affected by its consequences.