River Shabelle burst its banks yesterday thus displacing the local residents of Beledweyne from their homes.
The incident occurred as the heavy rains continue pounding the region. Somalia is in the middle of the Gu season, which is marked by heavy insistent downpours.
Residents living and working around River Shabelle are accustomed to the annual flooding, especially when the rains fall incessantly.
Over the last few hours, flooding caused by the river traveled and hit the town thus forcing residents to seek shelter elsewhere.
The residents now face massive challenges, especially as their displacement comes at a time when the Federal Government of Somalia has imposed COVID-19 curfews and other measures.
Health officials are afraid that the exposure to all the stagnant water could cause water-borne diseases such as cholera.