Tropical Cyclones hitting Somali Regions for the period(1984-2020)

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 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 the movement path for 2015 Tropical Cyclone Megh. Following Tropical Cyclone Chapala, new tropical cyclone Megh originated from the Arabian Sea causing even more rains in parts of Bari region in Puntland and Somaliland. The storm produced a maximum windspeed of 110knots. Areas affected included: Af Kalahay, Alula, Bareda, BiyoCade, Boolimoog, Dhurbo, Fagoora, Geesalay, Murcanyo, Sayn Weyn, Sayn Yar, Toxin and Xaabo. Re-estimated population figures after Tropical Megh, showed 4.9 million people were in need of assistance, 308,700 children under-5 were acutely malnourished, of which 55,800 were severely malnourished and 1.1 million remain in a protracted internal displacement situation.

Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System described Cyclone Sagar as one of the strongest storms ever recorded in Somalia. This was a very rare cyclone in the Gulf of Aden that made landfall in north-western Somaliland on 19 May, 2018. This layer shows the occurence of TC Sagar in some regions of Somalia,including Awdal, Togdheer, Sool, Sanaag, Bari, Hiraan, Gedo and Lower Juba.The TC Sagar moved with wind gusts of up to 120 km/hour that delivered a year’s worth of rain to some areas in the north, that is between 150 and 200mm. TC Sagar was reported to have adverse impacts on Somalia regions. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported heavy rainfall, strong winds and dangerous flash floods hitting coastal areas of Puntland and Somaliland. This resulted in the loss of lives, crops and livestock as well as the destruction of property and infrastructure. Recored impacts according to regions included: Awdal, Bari, Sanaag, Sool, Togdheer Number of people affected: 228,000 Number of people displaced: 9,000 Awdal, Hiraan, Gedo, Lower Juba  Number of people affected:830,000 Number of people worst hit:170,000 Number of people displaced: 290,000 Number of people death: 50 Infrusructure destroyed:(20-40)schools and 21 health facilities

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.