SoDMA Chief Leads Emergency Mission to Beledweyne as El Niño Flood Fears Mount

BELEDWEYNE — The Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mohamud Moallim Abdulle, accompanied by the State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management of Hirshabelle, arrived in Beledweyne on Friday to accelerate emergency response efforts and strengthen preparedness for potential flood risks.

The delegation was received at Beledweyne by officials from the Hirshabelle administration and various segments of the community. The visit is part of the Federal Government of Somalia’s broader efforts to reinforce disaster preparedness and mitigate the anticipated impacts of El Niño.

During his stay in Beledweyne, the Commissioner is scheduled to hold meetings with district and regional officials from Hirshabelle and community representatives. He will also visit areas near waterways to assess conditions and enhance public awareness of flood risks.

Mohamud Moallim Abdulle has called on the public to clear drainage channels and waterways to facilitate water flow and prevent potential flooding and damage. He also urged residents to avoid areas that could be affected by floods and to take proactive measures to reduce risk.

El Niño Preparedness and Flood Risk

Beledweyne, located along the Shabelle River in the Hiiraan region, has historically been highly vulnerable to flooding, with the river’s seasonal swells frequently submerging large parts of the city and displacing thousands of families. FAOSWALIM has identified 388 sites along the Shabelle River with flood-related conditions, including breaches, openings, and blockages, underscoring the scale of the risk facing communities in the riverine areas.

The visit comes amid a heightened state of alert as the 2026 El Niño is forecast to be exceptionally strong. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed that El Niño conditions are firmly established across the equatorial Pacific and are continuing to strengthen, with a near-100 percent probability that the event will persist through early 2027.

Interior Minister Ali Yusuf has warned the Somali public about the risk of floods and flash floods linked to the anticipated Super El Niño, urging communities to take precautionary measures and remain vigilant. The Cabinet has endorsed a national El Niño preparedness plan as the country faces the threat of severe flooding, displacement, and disruption to agriculture and food security.

Anticipatory action and early warning are central to Somalia’s disaster management strategy. OCHA and the Somali government are scaling up preparedness efforts ahead of the anticipated El Niño rains expected between October and December 2026, with forecasts indicating a high probability that the weather phenomenon will persist throughout the season. SoDMA has been actively engaging with federal and regional authorities, as well as humanitarian partners, to ensure communities are prepared for the expected heavy rains and flooding.

SoDMA has received strong backing from the international humanitarian community for these efforts. During a recent visit to Buur Hakaba, Abdulle was accompanied by George Conway, the UN Deputy Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, underscoring the coordinated effort to address the country’s humanitarian challenges.

SoDMA has also been coordinating its activities with other federal member states. In August, Commissioner Abdulle visited Laascaanood to bolster humanitarian response efforts and launch a new drought relief programme targeting vulnerable families across the North Eastern State, which has seen over 280,000 people displaced since February 2026.

Jubaland’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has also issued a warning about expected heavy rains and flooding, with up to 12 districts vulnerable and approximately 1.8 million people potentially affected. The Minister warned that more than 351,000 people could be displaced if major flooding occurs, with nearly 45 health facilities and 10 schools at risk.

SoDMA has also coordinated with the Somali Air Force, with both sides agreeing that the Armed Forces should play an important role in emergency response and rescue efforts, including the delivery of relief assistance, information gathering, and ground assessments using helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.

SoDMA has been delivering relief to drought-affected communities across the country, including food aid distributions in Bosaso and other areas. The agency has also launched a World Bank-backed project to strengthen disaster preparedness, with tech-driven early warning systems to protect communities from recurring natural disasters.

Critical Note

The arrival of the SoDMA delegation in Beledweyne represents a necessary and welcome step in preparing the city and the wider Hiiraan region for the potential impacts of the forecasted El Niño. Moving from crisis response to anticipatory action is crucial for saving lives and protecting livelihoods, and the focus on community awareness and clearing drainage channels is a practical and vital first step.

However, the success of these efforts will be measured by their effectiveness on the ground. The scale of the expected El Niño is exceptional, and Beledweyne’s long history of devastating floods means that the margin for error is thin. While raising awareness and clearing drainage are essential, they must be part of a comprehensive plan that includes adequate resources for emergency shelters, food and medicine stockpiles, and a clear, coordinated evacuation plan that is understood and trusted by the community.

The federal and Hirshabelle governments, alongside SoDMA, must ensure that their preparedness is matched by the capacity to act swiftly and decisively when the rains come. The true test of the visit will be whether these high-level meetings and assessments translate into concrete, life-saving action for the most vulnerable residents of Beledweyne.