After a river inundated the town of Beledweyne in central Somalia, about 250,000 people were forced to abandon their homes.
People were forced to seek shelter under trees as the Shabelle river burst its banks, leaving 99% of those in the town and neighbouring regions homeless, according to Hirshabelle State Interior Minister Abdirahmaan Dahir Gure, who spoke to BBC Somali.
The UN has issued a warning that flooding might reach Bulo Burde town, which is 110 kilometres (68 miles) distant.
Climate change is thought to have played a significant effect. Heavy rains in Somalia and upstream in the Ethiopian highlands, according to Somali government authorities, created flash floods that carried away homes, crops, and animals.
Somalia is just now beginning to recover from the worst drought in decades, when almost five consecutive rainy seasons failed, resulting in a near-catastrophic humanitarian scenario.
According to the UN, the rains are replenishing water supplies and promoting vegetation growth, but much more consistent rainfall is required to mitigate the effects of the previous drought.
This, however, raises the risk of floods.