Horn of Africa Regional Profile
Somalia
Sensitive Rain Seasons
- Deyr rains (October–December): Secondary rainy season, but dramatically supercharged during El Niño episodes.
- Gu rains (April–June): Primary rainy season; provides critical pastoral recharge.
Primary Environmental Hazards
- • Massive overbank flooding across the lower Shabelle and Juba riverine plains
- • Complete inundation of vital agricultural river valleys (Beledweyne, Jowhar, Baidoa)
- • Large-scale displacement of riverine farming communities
- • Outbreaks of waterborne diseases and acute food delivery blockages
Current 2026–27 El Niño Context for Somalia
With Pacific ocean anomalies rapidly climbing, Somalia faces high flood hazard along the Shabelle and Juba valleys in the final quarter of 2026.
Major Monitored River Basins in Somalia
Shabelle River Basin
4.74° N, 45.20° ECritical flood choke point at Beledweyne and irrigation delta at Jowhar.
Juba River Basin
2.34° N, 42.28° EMajor southern basin flowing past Luuq and Bardhere to Kismayo.
Monitored Cities in Somalia
Select any city below for real-time temperature, 7-day rainfall forecasts, and live flood risk score:
Mogadishu
2.0° N, 45.3° EHargeisa
9.6° N, 44.1° EKismayo
0.4° S, 42.5° EBeledweyne
4.7° N, 45.2° EBaidoa
3.1° N, 43.6° EBosaso
11.3° N, 49.2° EJowhar
2.8° N, 45.5° EHistorical El Niño Events in Somalia
1997–98 Event
Known locally as the "El Niño deluges", killing thousands and destroying riverbanks across southern Somalia.
2023–24 Event
Massive floods submerged over 90% of Beledweyne town and cut off major logistics arteries.