Somalia District struck by 2020 Tropical Cyclone Gati

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.

This layer shows the movement path of 2020 Tropical Cyclone Gati in Somalia. TC Gati originated from the Bay of Bengal and became the strongest ever documented tropical storm to hit Somalia. It made landfall at Ras Hafun (Northeast of Somalia) with maximum sustained winds of 170Km/hr and was classified as a Category 2 storm. Tropical Cyclone Gati was the strongest storm ever recorded in the northern Indian Ocean and wreaked unimaginable damage on people and property. GATI left a trail of destruction across Bari and Sanaag regions of Somalia, disproportionately affecting coastal communities. Authorities estimated about 180,000 people (30,000 households) to have 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 damage reported to infrastructure, livelihoods, and social services (telecommunication, electricity, roads, schools). Resultant flooding burst the sewerage system and increased the risk of diseases among the affected population. The worst hit areas were Baargaal, Foocaar, Garduush, Hurdiya, and Xaafuun, Foocaar, Garduush and Garan Hoose were worst hit villages in the Indian Ocean, Bosaso / Qandala in the Gulf of Aden, and Baarmadowe.

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.

2019 Tropical Cyclone Pawan struck Eyl and Qurdho Districts in Somalia. TC Pawan was intially named Tropical Storm 06A which originated from northern Indian Ocean. TC Pawan spread its clouds as far northwest as Oman and Yemen on its way to Somalia as observed by NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS). It made landfall in Somalia on 7th December 2019 on the Coastal side of Puntland. The storm influenced Somalia's weather patterns. Heavy rain and wind gusts of 80 km/h were reported in the region. Somali Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM) said some areas in Puntland recorded more than 3 times their long term mean annual rainfall during the storm. Eyl District recorded a total of 260mm in two days. Villages struck by the storm include Dangorayo, Karkaar, Hafun, Iskushuban, Baargaal, Quandala and Alula in Bari Region. 2019 TC Pawan had adverse impacts on Somalia. It was reported that 35,600 households, representing a population of 213,600 people had been affected. 2 people died following floods in Las Qoray (Sanaag Region). Roads connecting the town to the rest of the region were damaged. In central Somalia, River Shabelle flooded displacing over 1,500 people. Summary of impacts according to affected districts: Eyl,Qardho, Qandala: 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 Household destroyed: 31500 (5250 households)

2018 Tropical Cyclone Saga struck several districts in Somalia. These include Bai, Lughaye, Zeylac, Laasqoray, Bossaso, Caluula, Iskushuban, Qardho and Garoowe District. TC Sagar originated from Yemen where it had caused flooding and wind damage. On 19 May, 2018 TC Sagar made landfall in north-western Somaliland. It moved with wind gusts of up to 120 km/hour that delivered a year’s worth of rain to some areas that is between 150 and 200mm in some parts of the north.  Villages struck by the storm include Lughaya, Zeila, Baki, Bareeda, Caluula, Murcanyo, Gumbax and Xaabo. On 19 May, TC Sagar made landfall in western Somaliland, impacting close to 170,000 people, mainly in Awdal region. The storm destroyed crops, shelters and social service infrastructure, including water, health, nutrition, and education facilities. The Somaliland authorities estimated 50 people died and seven were still missing. In Somaliland, at least 16 people died in Galbeed and Awdal, where the cyclone made landfall. Three quarters of the livestock were killed along with major damage of water systems and health facilities and 39 schools were damaged or destroyed with a major impact on children.    Summary of the storm's impacts according to districts: Galbeed, Laasqoray, Qardho, Ishkushban, Bossaso, Garowe People displaced: 1,780 families People affected: 669,000 Houses destroyed: 80 families Death: 52 People Injured: 12 Missing persons: 27(Mainland) and 4(Fishermen) Disrupted services: 5 in Bossaso and Garoowe  Bareeda, Caluula, Murcanyo, Gumbax, and some parts of Xaabo People Missing: In Puntland 35 houses, 15 small boats. In Tawakal, 220 improvised houses for IDPS were washed away. 30 boats in Caluula and 20 small boats in Bosaso seaport. In Berber 125 families. In Ceel Sheekh, 15 shelters destroyed. Livestock lost: In Puntland 56 camels, nearly 1,260 goats and sheep and 19 donkeys died.

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