Somalia Districts hit by 2012 Tropical Cyclone Murjan

On October 25, 2012 Cyclonic Storm Murjan struck Bayla District of eastern Somalia, bringing heavy rainfall of over 40 mm (1.6 in) and gusty winds to the country and neighboring Ethiopia. This layer shows the occurence of TC Murjan in Bari Region.  TC Murjan formed over the south Arabian Sea in association with an active inter tropical convergence zone during last week of October 2012. It was the first cyclone over the north Indian Ocean during that year. Moving west southwestwards, it crossed Somalia coast between 1700 and 1800 UTC of 25th October near lat. 9.80N and long. 50.80E.  Though the Ocean Heat Content was less over the southwest Arabian Sea (50-80 KJ/cm2) and further less near Somalia coast (less than 50 KJ/cm2) as well as SST (26-280C), the system could maintain its intensity of cyclonic storm till landfall, basically due to low to moderate vertical wind shear. TC Murjan brougt heavy rainfalls to Somalia. This resulted to flash flooding which washed away livestock and bridges in Bari region, causing some fatalities. A total of 100,000 livestock died. Districts impacted in the region included Bossasso, Ishkushban, Bandar Beyla, Garowe and Eyl Districts.

This layer shows the movement path of 2012 TC Murjan. The cyclonic storm, Murjan formed over the south Arabian Sea in association with an active inter tropical convergence zone during last week of October 2012. It was the first cyclone over the north Indian Ocean during this year. Moving west southwestwards, it crossed Somalia's coast between 1700 and 1800 UTC of 25th October near lat. 9.80N and 50.80E. Though the Ocean Heat Content was less over the southwest Arabian Sea (50-80 KJ/cm2) and further less near Somalia's coast (less than 50 KJ/cm2) as well as SST (26-280C), the system could maintain its intensity of cyclonic storm till landfall, basically due to low to moderate vertical wind shear.   After the landfall, due to land interaction, it weakened into a deep depression over coastal Somalia at 1800 UTC of 25th October. It further weakened into a depression over Somalia in the morning of 26th October while moving west-southwest wards.

This layer shows Somalia Disricts struck by 2013 TC3A. They include, Bossaso, Bandarbeyla, Caluula, Iskushuban, Qandala, Qardho, Garoowe and Eyl District. On 8 November 2013, TC3A formed off the north-east coast of Somalia across the Indian Ocean, moving directly towards the coast of the country during the following days. On November 11, 2013 TC3A struck near the border of the Nugal and Bari regions and caused severe flash flooding. The storm produced a maximum wind speed of 74kph(46mph) and (100-200)mm of rainfall. 2013 TC3A was the deadliest tropical cyclone on record in Somalia, killing more than 162 people. The depression also destroyed over 1,000 houses, displaced tens of thousands of nomads, and killed millions of livestock. It was estimated that overall, 142,380 persons were affected by the disasters, with 8,523 households being worst hit and 1,435 households having lost all their livestock. It was reported that there were approximately 80 deaths mostly of children and the elderly who were most vulnerable to hypothermia and exposure. Makeshift structures for pastoralists were conspicuously absent or just frames, likely destroyed or damaged by high winds and rains. Numerous water sources were flooded, no longer serviceable and or contaminated in some areas. There were unconfirmed disease outbreaks and contamination of water sources from decaying animal remains. Thousands of livestock were reported dead as a consequence of icy rain, which was noted in the aerial assessment. FAO estimated 800,000 livestock were in the affected area. Anecdotal evidence suggested a less than 10 per cent survival rate for livestock in the hardest hit areas.

This layer show two Somalia Districts struck by 2015 Tropical Cyclone Chapala, Berbera and Bossaso Districts. On November 2, 2015 TC Chapala entered the Gulf of Aden in Somalia as the strongest tropical cyclone on record. 2015 TC Chapala prduced maximum wind speeds of 130knots. It brought rainfall in Northern Bari Region in Bossaso Districts. The villages struck within the recorded districts include, Baargaal, Bander, Bareeda, Butiyaal, Caluula, Murcanyo, Qandalla, Xaabo, Biycad, Bulahar, Ceelsheik, Shacable, Xaafun. According to a joint inter-agency rapid assessment more than 500 families (4,000 people) were affected by Tropical Cyclones Chapala and Megh, most affected lived in Gardaful Region, Puntland. No human loss of life was reported, but the rainfall and waves destroyed people’s homes, washed fishing boats and nets, killed livestock (an estimated 3,000 sheep and goats, as well as 200 camels) and caused damage/destruction to public infrastructure including hospitals, roads and schools. It was estimated that 4,000 people had been displaced, with 1,129 people being worst affected, having lost their homes and livelihoods (business, fishing boats, engines and nets), which were swept away by waves. It was reported that there had been extensive damage/destruction to people’s livelihoods, with 80 per cent of villages in Alula and 60 per cent of villages in Af Kalahay Bareda, BiyoCade, Boolimoog, Dhurbo, Fagoora, Geesalay, Murcanyo, Murcanyo, Sayn Weyn, Sayn Yar, Toxiin and Xaabo experiencing loss of livestock and damage to crops and fisheries.

Tropical cyclones hitting Somalia Districts for the period between 1984 to 2020. This layer indicates the frequency of cyclone occurence within specific regions. The cyclones recorded include: 1984 Tropical Cyclone 1A 1984 Tropical Cyclone 4B 1992 Tropical Cyclone 12A 1994 Tropical Cyclone 05A 1997 Tropical Cyclone 03A 2004 Tropical Cyclone Agni 2010 Tropical Cyclone Bandu 2012 Tropical Cyclone Murjan 2013 Tropical Cyclone 3A 2015 Tropical Cyclone Chapala 2015 Tropical Cyclone Megh 2018 Tropical Cyclone Sagar 2019 Tropical Cyclone Pawan 2020 Tropical Cyclone Gati

Tropical Cyclone Bandu was named after Tropical Storm 02A moving into the Gulf of Aden. This layer shows TC Bandu hitting Bossaso District on May 21, 2010. Bandu had maximum sustained winds near 45 knots (52 mph) and was 50 miles north-northwest of Cape Guardafui, Somalia.  Tropical Storm Bandu resulted in flooding, and displaced approximately 12,000 people in Bari,17000 along Shabelle River and 2,000 people in Jamaame town, Lower Juba Region, as well as Afgooye and Kurtunwaarey districts, Lower Shabelle Region. In response to identified humanitarian needs, the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and non-governmental organization (NGO) partners provided support for garbage collection and WASH activities. In addition, UNHCR distributed blankets and plastic sheeting to flood-affected residents of Bossaso town, Bari Region.