Somalia Regions hit by 2015 Tropical Cyclone Chapala

This layer shows the movement path of 2015 Tropical Cyclone Chapala. On Monday 2 November 2015, Tropical Cyclone Chapala made a landfall in Yemen; however, its effects were also felt across the Gulf of Aden in Somalia where extensive rainfall was experienced in the Northern Bari region in Bosaso district, Puntland. The storm reached maximum wind speed of 130knots.  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 also estimated that 4,000 people were 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.

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 Cyclone Gati originated from the Bay of Bengal. On 22 November 2020 at around 13:00 UTC, TC Gati became the strongest ever documented tropical storm to hit Somalia. Gati made landfall at Ras Hafun (Northeast of Somalia) with maximum sustained winds of 170Km/hr and was classified as a Category 2 storm (or category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale). This layers shows the occurence of TC Gati in two regions of Somali, Sanaag and Bari Regions. TC Gati primarily impacted parts of Bari region in Puntland State and then Sanaag region in Somaliland. Authorities reported rainfall totals from the storm to be greater than the amounts normally seen for the whole year. In a 24-hour period, Bosaso recorded 128mm of rain and Balidhidin 103mm. By 25th November 2020, TC Gati had dissipated but it left trail of destruction across Bari and Sanaag regions of Somalia. Authorities estimated 180,000 people (30,000 households) had been affected in Puntland Regional State, with 42,000 people (7,000 households) displaced and at least eight people killed and unknown number injured, with considerable damages reported to infrastructure, livelihoods, and social services (telecommunication, electricity, roads, schools). Resultant flooding bursted the sewerage system and increased risk of diseases among the affected population. By the end of December, the storm had killed 9 people and over 63 000 livestock (sheep and goats), and affected around 183 000 people.  The heavy rains caused the Ceel-Daahir River in Puntland to flood, blocking vehicles from bringing crucial supplies. In some towns such as Xaafun, Hurdiye, and Karduush people reported losing their entire herds of livestock. There were also reports of the destruction of 120 fishing vessels in these areas resulting in the loss of livelihood for an estimated 460 fishermen.

Tropical Cyclone Pawan was named after a tropical storm initially named 06A formed in the northern Indian Ocean. On December 7, 2019 Cyclonic Storm Pawan made landfall in Somalia just south of Eyl district with winds of around 65 mph (40 mph). This layer shows TC Pawan occurence in some regions of Somalia, including Bari, Mudug, Nugaal and Sanaag. The influence of TC Pawan was felt in the coastal areas of Bari and Mudug Regions where moderate to heavy rains had fell and strong winds were sustained on  7th and 8th December. Between 6th and 8th December 2019, TC Pawan caused flash floods and windstorms in the Puntland State of Somalia. Heavy rains and wind gusts of 80 km/h were reported. Pawan continued westward into Ethiopia and weakened. Summary of impacts included: Nugaal, Bari, Mudug Number of people affected:213600 (35600 HH) i.e. pastoralists 15,000 HH, fishing communities 7500 HH, rural-urban settlements 11600 HH including IDPs, farmers 1500 HH. Number of households destroyed:31500 (5250 households) Puntland, Sanaag Number of people who died: 2

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.

Tropical Cyclone 3A was recorded on November 11, 2013 when a deep depression struck near the border of Nugaal and Bari regions and caused severe flash flooding. It was the deadliest tropical cyclone on record in Somalia.It formed off the north-east coast of Somalia across the Indian Ocean, moving directly towards the coast of the country. This cyclone had windspeeds of 74kph(46mph) and was characterized with rainfall amounts between (100-200)mm. The cyclone led to loss of human lives and destruction of assets including livestock and fishing boats. It destroyed numerous settlements, service centers, roads, schools, communication and electrical installations. The most affected areas included, Dangorayo, Bandar Beyla, Garowe and Eyl districts. Impacts can be summarized as follows:  Number of People Affected: 142,380 Number of People worst affected: 8,523 Number of people displaced: 5,000 Number of people injured: 1,435 Number of death:100 Number of lost livestock: 2,746 Crop destroyed:12000ha