The United Nations humanitarian agency, UN OCHA, revealed that the death toll from Somalia's persistent floods has now reached 110.

The crisis has left over one million people displaced and impacted 2.4 million individuals across 36 districts, underscoring the severity of the situation.

UN OCHA further issued a warning regarding a looming health crisis, citing suspected cases of cholera and acute watery diarrhoea in the states of Hirshabelle and Galmudug. The agency stressed the urgent need for intervention as only 30% of those affected have received assistance so far.

The flood response has seen the deployment of 37 boats to deliver supplies and facilitate the evacuation of individuals trapped by the rising floodwaters. Despite these efforts, challenges persist in reaching a significant portion of the affected population.

Recent weeks have seen Somalia, as well as neighboring Kenya and Ethiopia, grappling with the most substantial rainfall in over two decades, resulting in fatalities, widespread displacement, and extensive destruction. The floods are attributed to the El Niño weather phenomenon, characterized by warming in the Pacific Ocean.

Scientists weigh in, linking the intensified and more frequent extreme weather events, such as floods, to the broader issue of climate change. As the atmosphere warms, they predict a continued increase in the frequency and intensity of such events, emphasizing the need for global attention and proactive measures to address the evolving climate crisis. (ILKHA)