Climate change-induced floods and storms: Impacts of changing rainfall patterns in Somalia

Abstract

Flooding is a widespread natural disaster that affects millions of people globally. It happens when bodies of water flood into typically dry land. Numerous negative effects result, including the destruction of buildings and residences, the erosion of productive topsoil, the contamination of drinking water supplies, and frequently, public health emergencies. Rivers, lakes, and seas are just a few of the water bodies that may cause flooding, which can be extremely dangerous for both ecosystems and people alike. Somalia has seen a wide range of extreme weather occurrences over the last thirty years, chief among them being frequent and destructive droughts and floods. Of particular worry is the frequency with which storms and floods brought on by the summer (xagaa) rains have occurred in recent years. In much of Somalia, these climate extremes have had a significant impact, disproportionately affecting those who live close to rivers. Flooding occurs once a year, which sets off a series of problems that include communities being forced to leave their homes, suffering significant financial losses, and declining agricultural production. It is critical to distinguish between the consequences of droughts and floods in Somalia since each poses unique difficulties for the people residing there and the authorities. This study explores a concerning pattern that shows increasing flood intensity in all three of Somalia's rainy seasons: Xagaa (summer), Deyr (autumn), and GU (spring). This not only highlights the growing environmental challenges, but also the need for swift action to strengthen resilience, adopt adaptive measures, and promote international cooperation to address the growing effects of storms and floods brought on by climate change in Somalia and other similar vulnerable regions of the world.