As a result of the River Shabelle's breaching its banks in Beledweyne, thousands of people in central Somalia have been forced to abandon their homes.
Towns and villages in the region have been damaged by floods brought on by heavy rain, and the UN's humanitarian response agency (OCHA) has warned of a rise in illnesses like cholera as local infrastructures are weakened.
Abdihafid Mohamed Yusuf, a local, related his experience:
Like so many others, "we fled from the flash floods that submerged the city," he added.
"People fled the city in search of safety. Massive floodwaters surged into the city for four days.
Nur Abdulle Hassan, a shopkeeper, noted that the persistent rains had a negative influence on business.
"The severe flooding in Beledweyne and the resulting influx of people have had a negative impact on our company. The number of our clients has decreased as a result of this.
The flooding occurs at a time when global statistics reveal a record number of internally displaced individuals, with natural catastrophes responsible for 32.6 million of these moves in the previous year.
Almost the entire population of some districts has been forced to leave, according to Hassan Ibrahim Abdulle, Deputy Governor of the Hiran Region.
"Flash floods have caused the majority of the residents of the four districts of the town of Beledweyne to be displaced," he said.
90% of the nearby towns have left. Because they were stranded or they reside in the highlands, 10% of the population is still in the town.
In stark contrast to the months-long drought that killed tens of thousands of people and destroyed crops and animals, the floods.
The rains are considered to be the cause of many households going hungry.
