Nearly 7,000 water wells at risk from Somalia’s expected Deyr floods

Monday September 14, 2026

Mogadishu (HOL) – Nearly 7,000 water wells located along riverbanks across Somalia are at risk of being damaged by flooding during the upcoming Deyr rainy season, the minister of energy and water resources warned Saturday.

Minister Abdullahi Bidhan said wells submerged or filled with silt could be difficult to restore, potentially disrupting access to water for communities in flood-prone areas.

He said forecast Super El Niño conditions require extensive preparations as Somalia braces for potentially heavy rains and flooding during the October-December Deyr season.

“if these wells become submerged or silted up by the floods, restoring them to operation could prove difficult,” Bidhan said, warning of the potential impact on communities that depend on the wells for water.

But Bidhan also warned that parts of Somalia could face drought if the Deyr rains fail. He said the risk was particularly serious after a Gu rainy season that brought little rainfall to many parts of the country. The minister called for a coordinated response to prevent humanitarian crises caused by both flooding and drought.

“The federal government is now in place and is expected to demonstrate the difference effective governance can make, particularly in addressing the challenges facing the public,” he said.

Bidhan said the success of the government’s response should be measured not by the number of conferences and meetings held, but by their tangible impact on the Somali people.

He called on the federal government, regional administrations and the public to work together to identify areas most at risk and determine how government agencies and humanitarian organizations can deliver timely assistance.

The Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), has also warned of an increased risk of flooding during the 2026 Deyr season, identifying 29 districts across 14 regions as particularly vulnerable to riverine and flash floods.

SoDMA said the October-December rains are expected to be influenced by Super El Niño conditions and urged residents in high-risk areas to prepare before floodwaters arrive.

“The purpose of this warning is not to alarm the public, but rather to provide people with the opportunity to prepare in advance, thereby minimizing potential loss of life and property damage caused by flooding,” the agency said.

SoDMA said Somalia could face two main types of flooding. Riverine flooding could threaten communities along the Juba and Shabelle rivers as rainfall in Somalia and the Ethiopian highlands increases river flows.

Flash floods could result from intense rainfall over short periods, affecting cities, villages, roads, waterways and low-lying areas.

The districts identified by SoDMA as vulnerable are Doolow, Luuq, Baardheere, Bu’aale, Beledweyne, Buulo Burde, Jowhar, Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Garowe, Bosaso, Qardho, Baidoa, Galkayo, Kismayo, Afgoye, Buur-dhuubo, Jilib, Afmadow, Diinsoor, Qansaxdheere, Jamaame, Ceel-Barde, Sablaale, Kuntiwaarey, Marka, Baraawe, Dhusamareb and Balcad.

The warnings highlight Somalia’s exposure to both extremes of weather. Heavy rains could displace communities, damage infrastructure and contaminate or destroy water sources, while inadequate Deyr rainfall could deepen drought conditions in areas that received limited rain during the Gu season.