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Overnight storms collapse homes, damage roads, and disrupt transport as city grapples with recurring flash floods and poor drainage systems
At least two people, a mother and her child, have died after strong rains hit Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, overnight on Friday. According to local officials, the heavy rainfall caused serious flooding across the city and damaged important roads.
The tragic incident happened in the Hamar Jajab district, where the family’s house collapsed due to the downpour. The district commissioner confirmed that both the mother and child lost their lives when the structure gave way under the pressure of the water.
The rainstorm lasted for more than eight hours, pouring continuously through the night. By morning, many roads in Mogadishu were underwater. The floodwaters swept away vehicles, including small cars and auto rickshaws (commonly known as tuk-tuks), making it difficult for people to move around the city. Public transport was brought to a standstill, and many neighborhoods became completely cut off.
Among the worst-affected areas were Howlwadaag and Hodan districts. These neighborhoods had recently seen new roads built by the Banadir regional administration. However, many of those roads could not withstand the heavy rainfall. Officials reported that some were either badly damaged or completely washed away, making them impossible to use.
In response to the flooding, the Banadir regional administration issued a warning to residents. They asked people to stay away from flooded areas for their own safety. They also instructed district commissioners to step in and help those whose homes were damaged or destroyed—especially those living in older buildings that might not be safe during heavy rain.
This kind of flooding is not new to Mogadishu. Flash floods happen often, especially during the rainy seasons. One of the main reasons is that the city lacks a proper drainage system. As Mogadishu continues to grow rapidly, more and more buildings are being put up without proper planning. This makes the city even more vulnerable when storms hit.
Poor drainage means that water has nowhere to go, so it collects quickly in low-lying areas. Families living in these flood-prone zones are always at high risk, especially those in houses made of weak materials or in overcrowded neighborhoods.
Local leaders say they are working to provide support to the affected families. Efforts include finding temporary shelter for those who lost their homes and clearing blocked roads. However, residents say more needs to be done to prepare for future floods, including building better drainage systems and making sure houses are safe and strong enough to handle storms.
Friday night’s floods are a sad reminder of how dangerous the rainy season can be for many people in Mogadishu. As the weather becomes more unpredictable due to climate change, many fear that disasters like this could become even more common.
The local government is urging everyone to take extra care during the rainy season and to report unsafe buildings or flooded areas. They also plan to continue monitoring the situation and providing help where needed.
While cleanup efforts have already begun, the damage from this recent storm will take time to repair. Many families are mourning the loss of their loved ones and hoping for better support to rebuild their lives.