By ABDULKADIR KHALIF

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Djiboutian peacekeepers in Central Somalia have confirmed evacuating at least 10,000 residents to higher grounds from the flooded Beledweyne town centre.

The commander of the Djiboutian contingent of the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) in Hiran region, Col Abdurahman Rayale Hared, told the media that his forces would continue the rescue operation.

Beledweyne town, about 335 km north of Mogadishu, has been the scene of devastating flooding after the Shabelle River burst its banks due to heavy rainfalls.

“We are not sparing any efforts in the evacuation of the Somali people from flooded areas to Eel Jaalle Aea (eastern outskirts of the town),” said Col Hared.

Additional support

He, however, said that additional support was required.

“These people have no water or food,” said the AU peacekeeping officer.

The Amisom peacekeepers have been cooperating with units of the Somali National Army (SNA) to offer humanitarian help to people inundated by the Shabelle River floods.

Shabelle is one of the two rivers passing through the central and southern regions of Somalia.

Heavy rains

The commander of the Beledweyne police station, Mr Mohamed Maow Halane, on Wednesday commended the troops for their rescue efforts.

“We thank the joint Amisom and SNA rescue team for offering us a helping hand,” he said.

Somali Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Mohamed Guleid stated that his government had set aside $1 million to help the displaced people.

Other regions in the Juba valley in southern Somalia have also been reporting heavy rains as the Gu’ season (the long rains) gathers momentum.