IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Center (ICPAC)

On November 2, 2015 Cyclone Chapala entered the Gulf of Aden as the strongest tropical cyclone on record. The storm dropped heavy rainfall in Puntland and Somaliland. This layer shows the occurence of TC Chapala in two Somalia regions: Bari and Woqooyi Galbeed Provinces. TC Chapala first made a landfall in Yemen; however, its effects were also felt across the Gulf of Aden in Somalia where extensive rainfall was experienced in the Northern Bari region in Bosaso district, Puntland. TC Chapala was characterized by heavy rainfall that had adverse impacts in the regions. It resulted to death of over 25,000 animals and left thousands of people homeless, leaving some local nomadic tribes without any food. Impacts recorded included: Number of people affected: up to 80% of the population. Number of people worst hit: 500 families(4000ppl) Number of people displaced: 4000 Livestock destroyed: 3,000 sheep and goats and 200 camels

Tropical Cyclone 3A was recorded on November 11, 2013 when a deep depression struck near the border of Nugaal and Bari regions and caused severe flash flooding. It was the deadliest tropical cyclone on record in Somalia.It formed off the north-east coast of Somalia across the Indian Ocean, moving directly towards the coast of the country. This cyclone had windspeeds of 74kph(46mph) and was characterized with rainfall amounts between (100-200)mm. The cyclone led to loss of human lives and destruction of assets including livestock and fishing boats. It destroyed numerous settlements, service centers, roads, schools, communication and electrical installations. The most affected areas included, Dangorayo, Bandar Beyla, Garowe and Eyl districts. Impacts can be summarized as follows:  Number of People Affected: 142,380 Number of People worst affected: 8,523 Number of people displaced: 5,000 Number of people injured: 1,435 Number of death:100 Number of lost livestock: 2,746 Crop destroyed:12000ha

On October 25, 2012 Cyclonic Storm Murjan struck Bayla District of eastern Somalia, bringing heavy rainfall of over 40 mm (1.6 in) and gusty winds to the country and neighboring Ethiopia. This layer shows the occurence of TC Murjan in Bari Region.  TC Murjan formed over the south Arabian Sea in association with an active inter tropical convergence zone during last week of October 2012. It was the first cyclone over the north Indian Ocean during that year. Moving west southwestwards, it crossed Somalia coast between 1700 and 1800 UTC of 25th October near lat. 9.80N and long. 50.80E.  Though the Ocean Heat Content was less over the southwest Arabian Sea (50-80 KJ/cm2) and further less near Somalia coast (less than 50 KJ/cm2) as well as SST (26-280C), the system could maintain its intensity of cyclonic storm till landfall, basically due to low to moderate vertical wind shear. TC Murjan brougt heavy rainfalls to Somalia. This resulted to flash flooding which washed away livestock and bridges in Bari region, causing some fatalities. A total of 100,000 livestock died. Districts impacted in the region included Bossasso, Ishkushban, Bandar Beyla, Garowe and Eyl Districts.

This storm struck Bari province in Somalia on 21 May,2010. The storm dissipated before 24 hours ellapsed because of cooler waters, higher wind shear and drier air in the Gulf of Aden. It curved southwest and made landfall in northeast Somalia.  Bandu was named after Tropical Storm 02A moving into The Gulf of Eden. Bandu had maximum sustained winds near 45 knots (52 mph) and was 50 miles north-northwest of Cape Guardafui, Somalia.  In May 21, 2010 TC Bandu hit Bari Region in northern Somalia resulting in flooding and human displacement. The number of people displaced included; 12000 in Bari,17000 along Shabelle River, 2000 people in Jamaame town, Lower Juba Region, as well as Afgooye and Kurtunwaarey districts, Lower Shabelle Region.  In response to identified humanitarian needs, the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and non-governmental organization (NGO) partners provided support for garbage collection and WASH activities. In addition, UNHCR distributed blankets and plastic sheeting to flood-affected residents of Bossaso town, Bari Region

In November 20, 1994 TC05A moved ashore eastern Somalia near Eyl district, producing wind speeds of 104 km/h (65 mph) in Bosaso district. This layer shows the occurence of the storm in two regions of Somalia; Bari and Nugaal Province.   The disturbance which became TC05A was first noted on 7 November,1994 by Significant Tropical Weather Advisory (ABIO) at 9N 54E. It was embedded within a widespread area of convection associated with broad troughing. The first warning was issued at 0600Z on 8 November as the cyclone landed in Somalia. The storm's high winds and rainfall killed 30 people and injured hundreds of others. Several boats and homes were washed away.

In December 24, 1992 Tropical Cyclone 12A struck southern Bari region,bringing beneficial rainfall to the normally arid areas. This was the fourth cyclone in the Arabian Sea and the twelfth in the North Indian Ocean in 1992. The tropical disturbance that became TC12A first formed in the Maldives near the equatorial trough.  The peak intensity reached by this cyclone was 50 kt (26 m/s) just prior to landfall. TC12A weakened rapidly after making landfall in Somalia, bringing much needed rain to a dry country. It dissipated over land. Bari region was the most affected region by this storm.

This was the first documented tropical cyclone to move through the Gulf of Aden.In May 28,1984 TC1A storm struck about 65Km (40 miles) west of Berbera, Somalia and quickly dissipated. The storm had maximum wind speeds of 23m/s before dissipating. This layer shows the occurence of the tropical cyclone in Woqooyi Galbeed province, Somalia. 1984 TC 1A remained a compact system throughout its life. Even at its maximum intensity of 45 kt (23 m/s) between 00002 and 06002 on 27 May, the radius of greater than 30 kt (15 m/s) winds was estimated to be only 60 nm (111 km).  The cyclone moved north-westward until late on the 26th, then turned to the west-southwest and entered the Gulf of Aden in response to a strong subtropical ridge over Saudi Arabia.The storm then transited up the Gulf of Aden until it made landfall at 03002 on 28 May, approximately 35 nm (65 Km) west of Berbera, Somalia. There were no reports of damages or injuries from this system.

1984 Tropical Cyclone 04B was a weak storm that struck eastern Somalia in Mudug province, and quickly dissipated. The storm had a maximunm windspeed of 18m/s before dessipating. The cyclone was detected on 23/11/1984. Mudug landfall was on 7/12/1984. There were no reports of damages or injuries from this storm.

Tropical cyclones hitting Somalia Districts for the period between 1984 to 2020. This layer indicates the frequency of cyclone occurence within specific regions. The cyclones recorded include: 1984 Tropical Cyclone 1A 1984 Tropical Cyclone 4B 1992 Tropical Cyclone 12A 1994 Tropical Cyclone 05A 1997 Tropical Cyclone 03A 2004 Tropical Cyclone Agni 2010 Tropical Cyclone Bandu 2012 Tropical Cyclone Murjan 2013 Tropical Cyclone 3A 2015 Tropical Cyclone Chapala 2015 Tropical Cyclone Megh 2018 Tropical Cyclone Sagar 2019 Tropical Cyclone Pawan 2020 Tropical Cyclone Gati

Tropical cyclones hitting Somalia Regions for the period between 1984 to 2020. This layer indicates the frequency of cyclone occurence within specific regions of Somalia. The cyclones recorded include: 1984 Tropical Cyclone 1A 1984 Tropical Cyclone 4B 1992 Tropical Cyclone 12A 1994 Tropical Cyclone 05A 1997 Tropical Cyclone 03A 2004 Tropical Cyclone Agni 2010 Tropical Cyclone Bandu 2012 Tropical Cyclone Murjan 2013 Tropical Cyclone 3A 2015 Tropical Cyclone Chapala 2015 Tropical Cyclone Megh 2018 Tropical Cyclone Sagar 2019 Tropical Cyclone Pawan 2020 Tropical Cyclone Gati