Nearly 874,000 people in Somalia could be forced from their homes by flooding over the next three months, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned on Wednesday, as rising rivers and heavy rainfall threaten communities already struggling with drought and repeated displacement. The IOM statement was published by ReliefWeb, and AFP reported the same warning.

Source: IOM via ReliefWeb

New projections by the IOM and the Danish Refugee Council estimate that 874,319 people could be displaced between October and December, with flooding accounting for 92 per cent of the projected displacement. Somalia is entering a rainy season forecast to bring above-normal rainfall amid strengthening El Niño conditions, the agency said.

"We are looking at the possibility of hundreds of thousands of people losing their homes in just a matter of weeks. Many of these families have already been displaced before and have very little left to fall back on," said Manuel Marques Pereira, IOM Somalia Chief of Mission. "There is still time to reduce the impact, but that window is closing. We urgently need funding to help people protect their homes and livelihoods, reach safer ground where necessary, and avoid another cycle of displacement." The funding is intended to support more than 517,000 people in flood-prone communities, the IOM said.

Flood signs already emerging

In Dollow, the Jubba River is approaching flood levels, while water levels along the Shabelle River are rising towards the top of its banks in Jowhar, the IOM said. Heavy rainfall in Baidoa has already damaged homes and forced families to leave several neighbourhoods. Beyond homes, rising floodwaters could destroy crops, contaminate water sources and cut off access to essential services, AFP reported the agency as warning.