Thousands of residents of Lower Shabelle are facing an acute water shortage as the water levels of the River Shabelle reduced to record low.
The alluvial banks of the River Shabelle has been referred to as the bread basket sustaining food production for the more than 12 million Somali people.
“The situation is serious. The people have no water for domestic use since they all depend on the river and now its dried up. Many people have been affected and crops have dried too” Garaad Mursal Adan who visited Jambalul village told Radio Dalsan.
The area produces rice, banana, maize, sorghum, vegetables and fruits.
The residents are seeking for a quick response to the situation and lasting solution to the recurrent problem.
“What the elders and people I have talked with here want is for our government or the international community to come to their aid and dig wells. Wells and dams could alleviate this annual problem” Adan said.
According to meteorologists it is unusual for Shabelle to dry up this time of the year. Speculation have been rife with some pointing fingers at Ethiopia the source of the river.
