Tropical Cyclone Gati made landfall on 22 November at around 22:00 hours local time in Puntland’s Bari region. The heavy rains and strong winds triggered flash floods along coastal and inland areas. The hardest hit were 13 villages in Iskushuban district, including Xaafuun, Dul Xaafuun, Dardaare, Garan, Baarmadowe, Hurdiya, Foocaar, Afdhicin, Haluula, Kurduush, Gumbax, Taageer and Xandha. Local authorities report that eight people have been killed and an unknown number injured. In total, an estimated 70,000 people have been affected. In Xaafuun and Hurdiya villages, about 15,000 people have been displaced to higher ground within their neighbourhoods. Massive damage to property and roads is reported. Telecommunication services have also been affected, especially in Xaafuun, Hurdiya and Baarmadowe. In addition, shipping and fishing activities along the coastal areas of Bari and the Gulf of Aden have been disrupted. An estimated 30 fishermen who were at sea before the cyclone alert was issued are yet to be accounted for. (OCHA, 23 Nov 2020)

The tropical storm GATI has weakened further and is moving westwards with a speed of 7KPH. It is expected to dissipate in the next 12 hours. The storm left behind a significant physical and economic damage especially in Bari region. More than 700 houses were destroyed, several boats and fishing gears damaged and loss of a large number of livestock. This has led to loss of livelihood for most families and may take time and huge financial input to replace the loss. There was a reduction of rainfall amounts and wind speeds in the last 24 hours in many areas along the storm path. This trend is expected to continue as the storm gets weaker and the situation will stabilize thereafter. (FAO, 24 Nov 2020)