Tropical Cyclone Sagar - May 2018
OngoingOverview
A tropical cyclone formed in the Gulf of Aden between Yemen and northern Somalia on 16 May 2018. The cyclone system caused heavy rains along the coast of Puntland on 17 May. Flash flooding was reported in the Bari region, which were not limited to seasonal riverbeds. The road linking Bossaso and points south has reportedly been affected. There are also reports of some fishing boats having been washed away by waves off the coast of Sanaag region, which along with Sool are disputed between Somaliland and Puntland. The two authorities have been engaged in an armed standoff in Sool that had displaced almost 10,000 people prior to the storms arrival, further complicating an already complex humanitarian picture. By 18 May, the cyclone had gained strength, reaching tropical storm-wind levels and assigned the name Tropical Cyclone Sagar. Heavy rains are projected for the escarpment and plateau of Somaliland. (OCHA 19 May 2018)
In Somaliland, the largest concentration of fatalities were reported in coastal Galbeed and Awdal, where the cyclone made landfall. Houses were destroyed, and livestock washed away. The heavy rains and subsequent flooding are hindering humanitarians’ ability to access some of the areas affected by the cyclone to assess the extent of the damage and provide assistance. In Puntland, severe weather conditions also resulted in fatalities, livestock loss and the destruction of farms, property and infrastructure including fishing boats...Meanwhile, forces from Puntland and Somaliland have been engaged in an armed standoff in Sool that had displaced almost 10,000 people prior to the cyclone’s arrival, further complicating an already complex humanitarian picture. By the morning of 20 May, meteorological authorities were reporting that Sagar was beginning to weaken into a tropical depression. The tropical depression itself has remained over parts of Ethiopia, Djibouti and north-west Somaliland, about 140 kilometres from Hargeisa. (OCHA , 20 May 2018)
Most read (last 30 days)
- Yemen: Cyclone Mekunu Flash Update 1 | 25 May 2018 [EN/AR]
- Cleaning up after cyclone in Djibouti
- Families urgently need food, clean water, medical support after Somaliland Cyclone
- UN pledges $2.7 million to help Somaliland communities affected by cyclone; urges focus on longer-term rebuilding
- Humanitarian Bulletin Somalia, 1 May - 3 June 2018
• Children on the move:
Natural disasters and conflict has forced 8.5 million people to flee their homes across South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. Conflict is the largest driver of displacement – with children often witnessing or experiencing horrific violence, exploitation and abuse.
• Families facing starvation:
More than 12 million children go to bed hungry across South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya everyday. Children don’t have enough to eat because of various crises – drought, conflict, flooding or hyperinflation.
Key Messages
• Humanitarian situation:
The combined effect of the flash flooding and the Tropical Storm ‘Sagar’ that occurred in central, southern and northeastern regions of Somalia has affected an estimated 830,000 people, of which nearly 290,000 have been temporarily displaced. The flooding has destroyed farmlands, infrastructure and roads, and disrupted livelihoods in the worst-hit areas.
Key Messages
• Humanitarian situation overview:
The Government of Ethiopia and humanitarian partners have released updated immediate humanitarian funding priorities.
The needs urgently require US$280.4 million to ensure a response for the next six months. Assistance needed includes delivering emergency health and nutrition services, expanding water and sanitation facilities, improving access to education, and ensuring Improvements in basic living conditions .
PROJECTED FOOD ASSISTANCE NEEDS FOR DECEMBER 2018
Situation Overview
Famine was averted in Somalia in 2017, thanks to the rapid mobilisation of resources and scaled-up response. By the end of 2017, donors had collectively contributed or pledged $1.32 billion, channelled either through the projects included in the 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) or projects outside of the HRP.
Norway will provide a further NOK 30 million to alleviate the situation in Somalia. The funds will be channelled through the Somalia Humanitarian Fund, which is administered by the UN, and through Save the Children Norway and Norwegian Church Aid.
'Over the last year, Somalia has been severely affected by drought. Now, the population has been hit by flash floods and river flooding. The authorities and humanitarian actors are doing their best to respond to the situation. It is important that Norway also does its part,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.
West Africa remains dry, while heavy rain is forecast over Kenya
Africa Weather Hazards
Poorly-distributed rain since late February has resulted in abnormal dryness across central and northeastern Ethiopia.
A slow onset to seasonal rainfall across the southern Gulf of Guinea countries has led to strengthening moisture deficits throughout the region.
Delays in seasonal rainfall across the southern Gulf of Guinea countries has led to strengthening moisture deficits throughout the region.
HIGHLIGHTS
Conflict intensifies in Al Hudaydah Governorate; humanitarian actors prepare for additional displacement
First containerized vessel delivers supplies to Al Hudaydah Port since November 2017 port closures
Health actors launch cholera and diphtheria vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
08 June 2018, Geneva, Switzerland - A tropical cyclone formed in the Gulf of Aden between Yemen and northern Somalia on 16 May. On 19 May 2018, Tropical Cyclone Sagar-18 made landfall in Djibouti causing heavy rains and flash floods to surge in Djibouti city and Balbala suburb.
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Summary Feb – May 2018
Situation Overview
There has been a significant reduction in rainfall levels in the Juba and Shabelle river basins in Somalia and the Ethiopian highlands over the last two weeks, with most areas receiving only light rainfall, if any.
Note de synthèse
Executive Summary
The tropical Cyclone Sagar landed in northern of Somalia on 21 May, causing devastation, death and displacement, delivering an entire year’s worth of rain in a matter of hours and affecting thousands of people. In addition, continued flash and river flooding in the southern and central areas of the country has compounded the already fragile humanitarian situation due to drought, conflict and marginalization.
Canada is providing clean water and sanitation support to residents in Somaliland after an entire year’s worth of rain fell in just one day.
Tropical storm Sagar drenched the country with 300 mm of rain per hour and pounded the coastline with winds reaching up to 120km/h. At least 25 people died and close to 700,000 people are in need of humanitarian assistance.
5 June 2018 – Within a week, 2 record-setting tropical cyclones that formed in the Gulf of Aden made landfall, wreaking widespread havoc in Somalia, Oman and Yemen. The World Health Organization is supporting direct response efforts in Somalia and Yemen, while Oman relies on its preparedness developed in partnership with WHO.
HIGHLIGHTS
Cyclone Sagar leaves a trail of destruction
Flooding worsens fragile humanitarian situation
Some IDPs in Baidoa return to take advantage of the Gu rains.
Pooled funds boost response but gaps remain
Cyclone Sagar leaves trail of destruction
Continued port functioning critical as increased conflict continues in Al Hudaydah
Key Messages
Tropical Cyclone Sagar with winds between 110 -115 km/h formed in the Gulf of Aden between Yemen and Somalia on 19 May. It made landfall on the northwest coast of Somaliland as a Tropical Storm with 56 km/h winds, resulting in a year’s worth of heavy rains and flooding (ADAM 19/05/2018). The storm caused extensive destruction, including loss of livestock and crops, destruction of homes and critical infrastructure, and mass displacement (OCHA 23/05/2018; OCHA 20/05/2018).
