Status of River Breakages Along the Shabelle River - Issued Aug 20 2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization's Somalia Water and Land Information Management (FAO SWALIM) Project has completed the analysis and mapping of river breakages along the Shabelle River using very high resolution (VHR) satellite imagery, as of August 2026. Breakages identified in the map have been classified into four categories: River Overflow, Open, Canal Flooding, and Closed with Sandbags. A legend/key for further explanation of the different breakage types is provided. Along the Shabelle River, a total of 388 breakage points have been identified, comprising 150 River Overflow points, 147 Open points, 66 Canal Flooding points, and 25 points Closed with Sandbags. Sites with current, cloud-free VHR imagery available at the time of analysis were newly verified; sites lacking current imagery coverage or affected by cloud cover retain their most recently verified status from prior assessments. Heavy concentrations of open breakages and overflow points are observed along key agricultural districts including Beletweyne, Buloburde, Jowhar, and Balcad, extending south to Kurtunwarey and Sablaale. There is a need to close the open points and reinforce areas with weak river embankments to avoid loss of lives and livelihoods during the upcoming rainy season. Breakage analysis for the Juba River has not yet been released due to budgetary constraints; updates will follow as resources and satellite imagery become available.