MOGADISHU, Somalia – Several major roads in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, remain inaccessible days after torrential rains caused widespread flooding and damage, leaving residents stranded and critical infrastructure paralyzed.
The heavy downpour, which struck the city on the night of Friday last week, triggered flash floods that swept through neighborhoods, damaging roads and cutting off access to vital services. Citizens have since voiced growing frustration over the lack of response from local authorities.
Residents told Shabelle TV they are facing increasing hardship, with some unable to leave their homes or access medical care, markets, and other essential services. “We are effectively trapped in our own neighborhoods,” one resident said. “The government has done nothing.”
The Benadir regional administration, responsible for managing the capital, has been accused of failing to act in the wake of the disaster. Despite repeated public complaints, no significant repair or drainage work has been launched to address the damage.
The scale of destruction is still being assessed, but eyewitnesses say many main roads — already restricted due to ongoing security measures — are now completely impassable. The situation has sparked renewed criticism of the government’s handling of urban infrastructure and disaster preparedness.
Residents have also decried what they describe as a lack of return on the taxes they pay. “We pay regular taxes, but we receive nothing in terms of basic services,” another local said, pointing to pothole-ridden roads and inadequate drainage systems.
Mogadishu’s road network has long been plagued by insecurity-related closures and poor maintenance. The latest floods have only deepened those challenges, with no clear plan from federal or regional authorities on when repairs will begin.
The crisis highlights the growing strain on Mogadishu’s urban infrastructure, as climate shocks, limited governance capacity, and longstanding neglect converge, leaving the capital’s millions of residents to fend for themselves.
