Somalia: Devastating cyclone affects coastal areas in Puntland, outbreak reported

BARGAL, Somalia, November 3, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Tropical cyclone Chapala has unleashed deluge for the second day in coastal areas in Somalia’s northeastern state of Puntland according to officials, Garowe Online reports.

Guardafu Governor, Abdulkadir Yusuf Mohamed told Puntland-based independent station, Radio Garowe that heavy downpour and flash floods in the aftermath of storm surge that initially developed in the Arabia Sea are dumping on a string of towns in vast Bari region.

Hundreds of heads of livestock have reportedly been swept into the Indian Ocean, with people fleeing areas prone to life-threatening flooding.

Fishermen who were left more destitute in 2013 tropical cyclone have lost their fishing gear to extraordinary rains.

Impacts of Chapala were felt in small villages, mostly former pirate hubs along the Indian Ocean earlier on Sunday.

Among the worst-affected areas are Bargal, Bareda, Tohin, Fagole and Tohad.

Waterborne diseases

In the Village of Dhurbo, 17km off Muranyo, locals are reeling under unknown outbreak brought by Chapala according to Moallim Abdirahman Omar Abdullahi.

Abdullahi, a concerned resident of Dhurbo said by phone that symptoms of the new outbreak include cough, fever and sneezing.

Storm surges struck the Indian ocean village, sans properly functioning health facilities by Sunday.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Puntland’s Deputy Minister of Interior, Abdullahi Hashi Qob-dero appealed for international assistance for those affected by the cyclonic storm.

He said, roads remain cut-off as of Tuesday and undisclosed number of homes was badly damaged.

Puntland Government and International Agencies have yet to release updated information regarding the adverse effects of Chapala. 

READ:
Somalia: Cyclone Chapala felt in Puntland

GAROWE ONLINE