Ethiopia – Government Announces New Flood Prevention Measures [Floodlist]

Ethiopia’s National Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency has announced that the government has set up new measures to protect inhabitants from river flooding in flood-prone areas as the country expects above-normal rainfall in the annual rainy season, locally known as the “belg” rains.

Top commissioner Mitiku Kasa revealed that preparations are underway to shield residents in Aftaki area in Somali region, Woldia town in Amhara region, South Omo and Siltee zones in Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s state, towns around River Awash in Oromia region, and Mille and Gawane areas in Afar region, Ethiopian News Agency reported on 15 April.

The Ethiopian government had already allotted 1.5 million Birr to assist flood-prone areas over the course of upcoming flooding in identified localities.

Flood Prevention Measures

The Water Resource Bureau, charged with overseeing all matters relating to water, have begun to construct flood diverting canals, with early warnings being issued to those exposed to floods by National Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency.

Old canals have also been renovated in areas likely to be hit by the deluge.
Somali, Amhara, Siltee, southern and Afar regional states will also carry out all measures necessary for the country to resist the above-average rains.

Meanwhile, the Ethiopian government has called on farmers to take advantage of rains following the drought and worst famine in recent years in the East African country.

Forecast

On 20 April, the Ethiopian National Meteorological Agency said:

“There will be a better cloud development over most parts of north eastern, central, eastern and southern areas of the country. As a result, central, eastern and south high grounds of Oromia, SNNPR, Eastern Amhara and Afar will have scattered to fairly widespread rain showers with heavy falls in a few places.

“Moreover, Eastern and Southern Tigray, Somali, western Oromia and Gambella will have isolated to scattered rain showers. The remaining parts of the country will be dominated by partly cloudy, mostly sunny and hot weather.

Abdirashid M. Dahir

Abdirashid M. Dahir is a civil engineer, working in Somalia and Ethiopia. He reports on floods and flooding issues for Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia. 

Source: Floodlist