We are pleased to share Issue 9 of our newsletter “SWALIM Update” for the period May 2015 - August 2015. This issue of the newsletter provides updates on SWALIM water and land information management activities such as: What El Nino Means for Somalia, Empowering Women in Somalia with Information Management Skills, SWALIM Information Days in Somaliland and Puntland, Using Remote Sensing for Monitoring, Hydrogeology Study in Ceel Waaq District, Study on Flood and Irrigation Control Systems in Middle Shabelle and Data Centres in Mogadishu.

Light rains spread across many southern and central parts of Somalia are expected in the next three days. The northern parts of the country are expected to receive moderate rains over the same period, with few pockets in Togdheer and Bari regions experiencing high rainfall of up to 100mm which can lead to flash floods. The upper catchment of the Shabelle River in Ethiopia will receive high rains as well, which translates to increase in river levels later in the week.

The rainfall forecast for the coming week indicates heavy rains within the two basins both inside Somalia and Ethiopian highlands. Heavy rains are also expected in Banadir, Galgaduud, Mudug and parts of Nugaal, sool, Sanaag and Toghdheer regions with a possibility of flash floods in these areas. River levels in the middle and lower reaches of Shabelle River are currently at full crest in some sections of the river. Given the rainfall forecast and the current river levels, there is a high risk level of flooding along the middle and lower reaches of Shabelle. A Moderate risk of flooding is foreseen in the lower reaches of Juba River especially in locations where there exists open river breakages.

The forecast for the next three days points towards increased rains in the Shabelle basin inside Somalia, the Ethiopian highlands as well as the central parts of the country . The North western parts may also record moderate rains while the lower parts of Juba and north eastern parts may receive light rains within the same period.

The Deyr 2015 rains have started in some parts of Somalia. The upper parts of the Ethiopian highlands, Lower Juba region and north eastern parts of Somalia are expected to receive light to moderate rains within the next three days. Other parts of Somalia and the lower parts of the Ethiopian highland will receive little or no rains during the same period.

Heavy rains are expected to continue in the Ethiopian highlands and most parts of Somalia except Awdal, Bari, Nugaal and Mudug regions. Toghdheer, Bay and Lower Shabelle regions are expected to receive the highest amounts which may lead to flash floods and river floods in respective areas.

The Deyr 2015 rainy season started well in many parts of Somalia and has been increasing in space and intensity over the past few days within the Juba and Shabelle river basins both in Somalia and in the Ethiopian highlands. River levels in the upstream stations along the Juba and Shabelle (Luuq and Belet Weyne respectively) continued to increase over the last week. The levels in the middle and lower reaches of Shabelle River are currently high. Given the current river levels and the current rainfall forecast (which indicates heavy rains within the Shabelle basin both in Somalia and the Ethiopian highlands; moderate rains expected in the Juba basin inside Somalia; heavy rains in the highlands and the coastal areas of Banadir, Middle Shabelle and Galgaduud), there is a moderate flood risk level along the middle and lower reaches of Shabelle while there is no foreseen risk of flooding along the Juba in the coming week.

Scattered light to moderate rains are expected across the Juba and Shabelle river basins inside Somalia and the Ethiopian highlands. The rains extend to the central parts of the country, Nugaal and Sool Regions, while in the extreme north regions there will be minimal rainfall activity in the coming three days.

Moderate to heavy rains are expected to continue in the Ethiopian highlands and most parts of Somalia except Awdal, Bari, Nugaal and Mudug regions. Flash flood may be experienced in a few places within Bay, Bakool and Gedo regions following the foreseen heavy rains in the area.

The last 24 hours have seen heavy rains in parts of Togdheer, Hiraaan and Middle Shabelle regions leading to flash floods in the affected areas. During the next three days, rains are expected to continue in the Shabelle basin inside Somalia, the Ethiopian highlands, lower parts of Sool and Togdheer regions as well as the central parts of the country . The lower parts of Juba and north eastern parts may receive light rains within the same period.