Somali Observatory for Humanitarian Affairs The Voice of Reality.. The Eye of Humanitarian Truth in Somalia
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MOGADISHU — The Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) issued an urgent warning to residents in the Bari and Nugaal regions, specifically targeting the districts of Hafuun, Eyl, Dangoroyo, Bandarbayla, Qardho, and Garowe, regarding a powerful thunderstorm expected from May 12 to May 17, 2026, as a proactive measure to safeguard lives and property.
Weather forecasts and satellite imagery released by the agency indicate the potential for heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds and intense lightning strikes, which may lead to high sea waves and sudden flash floods threatening low-lying areas and valley streams in the aforementioned locations.
In a humanitarian gesture aimed at protecting vulnerable groups, the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) called on fishermen and seafarers to immediately suspend maritime activities and secure their boats and equipment in safe areas, warning of severe sea disturbances throughout the warning period.
The agency also urged residents to stay away from flood-prone streams and open areas susceptible to lightning, emphasizing the need to provide special care for children and the elderly by relocating them to safer high ground and avoiding shelter under tall trees or weak structures during strong winds.
In its statement, the agency stressed the importance of continuous monitoring of official reports issued by SoDMA and Puntland authorities, confirming that emergency teams are on high alert to track any field changes in weather conditions and provide necessary support to affected populations.
These warnings are part of the strategic vision pursued by the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) to raise community awareness of natural disaster risks, aiming to minimize human and material losses through the activation of early warning systems.
The agency called on all citizens to exercise the highest levels of caution and cooperate with rescue teams, emphasizing that public safety is a shared responsibility requiring full compliance with official instructions to overcome this weather wave with minimal damage.
The agency is expected to continue monitoring the low-pressure system’s developments and provide the public with regular updates, while confirming the readiness of shelter centers and urgent evacuation plans should the field situation worsen due to expected floods and severe climatic fluctuations.
This warning issued by the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) reflects the maturity of the early warning system and its ability to predict climatic risks before they occur. Protecting individuals and securing their livelihoods in the face of harsh weather conditions represents the core of humanitarian and institutional work, reaffirming that proactive planning is the primary shield against the growing challenges of climate change.
