Djibouti (Dawan Africa) – Heavy rains hit Djibouti City and several regions on Monday afternoon, providing relief from months of severe drought but also causing disruption.
The downpours affected the capital and the regions of Obock, Tadjourah, Dikhil, Ali Sabieh, and Arta, leading to floods that blocked major roads and halted movement in multiple neighborhoods.
Djibouti’s National Sanitation Agency (ONEAD) launched emergency operations to remove stagnant water and clear blocked drainage systems. Officials said that waste dumped into drains had contributed significantly to the flooding. “As long as citizens fail to follow basic sanitation rules, we will be forced to repeatedly carry out these emergency operations,” an ONEAD representative said.
The emergency response included clearing garbage, reopening blocked roads, and reducing flood risks. The rains come amid ongoing challenges from prolonged drought, which has heavily impacted pastoralist communities and refugees across the country.
