The northern Ethiopian areas of Tigray and Amhara have been enduring severe drought, resulting in over 50 human deaths and the loss of 4,000 cattle.
While northern Ethiopia suffers from droughts, the southern and eastern parts of the country, along with Kenya and Somalia, have been hit by flooding. Somalia suffered the worst of the flooding, with 50 people reported dead. According to the Somali disaster management agency almost 700,000 people have been forced to leave their homes.
130 individuals in east Africa have lost their lives as a result of severe flooding. The town of Beledweyne in Somalia experienced significant damage as the Shabelle River overflowed, destroying numerous residences. According to Save the Children, approximately 250,000 people (equivalent to 90% of Beledweyne’s population) have been displaced from their homes. Sadly, the flooding is projected to persist in east Africa, and the UN has cautioned that 4.3 million people (25% of Somalia’s population) are in danger of experiencing “crisis-level hunger or worse”.
Turkey is currently facing the consequences of a powerful storm and subsequent flooding that hit the country on November 18th and 19th. The storm caused the Turkish cargo ship Kafkametler to sink off the coast of the Black Sea. The ship collided with a breakwater near the town of Ereğli, resulting in 11 crew members being reported missing. The vessel had previously sustained damage in October when it hit a mine off the coast of Romania. Due to the severe weather conditions, the search and rescue efforts were delayed for several hours, but eventually the body of the ship’s cook was discovered once the weather improved. Another ship, registered in Cameroon, also broke apart during the storm, but all crew members were safely evacuated beforehand.
Assistance and support are ongoing in several provinces, as widespread destruction has been observed to homes and infrastructure, such as roofs being ripped off, trees being knocked down, and flooding. In light of the circumstances, classes were paused in four provinces. Sadly, nine fatalities have been reported in three provinces, and approximately 50 individuals have been harmed.
Source: theguardian.com
