The Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) has urged communities across Somalia to prepare for the potential impacts of Super El Niño, including heavy rainfall, flash floods, river flooding and other weather-related hazards, the Somalia National News Agency reports.
Heavy, torrential downpours that hit Mogadishu, Somalia, starting overnight and continuing through September 16, 2026, triggered widespread flash flooding, paralysing public transport, and prompting an emergency Super El Niño warning from regional authorities.
The intense rainfall marked an aggressive onset to the autumn (Deyr) rainy season, impacting infrastructure and daily operations across the capital.
The agency further warned that communities in flood-prone areas should monitor official weather and early warning updates, identify safe areas and evacuation routes, protect essential documents and belongings, and avoid crossing flooded roads or waterways.
Following guidelines
“Residents are also encouraged to clear drainage channels and waterways, keep emergency contacts accessible, and follow guidance from local authorities and emergency services,” the SoDMA statement said.
Earlier on Sunday, Somalia’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) convened meetings with local and international partners to strengthen multi-agency flood prevention and emergency preparedness ahead of the anticipated rains.
The Somali Disaster Management Agency Director Khadar Sheikh Mohamed said the disaster agency had already placed 29 districts across 14 regions on high alert for riverine and flash flooding.
“The rains are expected during the Deyr season in October, November and December, with communities in vulnerable areas advised to take early precautions,” Mohamed said on Sunday.
Heavy seasonal rains across Somalia and the upper catchments in Ethiopia are expected to push the Jubba and Shabelle rivers toward dangerous levels, while short-duration, high-intensity downpours threaten to trigger severe flash floods in urban and rural areas, authorities informed.
According to the UN, El Nino could have devastating effects in Somalia, such as heavy rains and flooding along the Juba and Shabelle rivers, flash floods in central Somalia and Puntland, and worsening droughts in parts of the country.
Previous El Nino events have caused massive flooding in Somalia. Some 900,000 people were affected in 1997-1998, and more than 440,000 people were affected in 2006-2007.
