Southern agricultural region flooded

Large areas of Middle Shabelle Region in southern Somalia have been hit by floods, which have inundated agricultural land, local sources told IRIN. Following heavy rains over the last few weeks, the Shabelle river burst its banks, destroying large tracts of farmland, said a resident of the regional capital, Jowhar, 90 km north of Mogadishu. An estimated 1,500 hectares of farmland are affected, HornAfrik journalist Farah Ali said. Humanitarian sources told IRIN that the situation did not constitute a crisis. “There was flooding in an area between Sabuun, and Bulo Ahmed Igo, 25 km north of Jowhar, and it has been contained by the local people,” said one source. The water level normally stood at four metres, but now stood at 4.8 metres and was steadily rising, the source said.