ISTANBUL

At least seven people were killed and nine homes collapsed from heavy rains and flooding overnight that swept through the Somali national capital of Mogadishu, state-run news agency, SONNA, reported Saturday.

The downpour, which lasted for eight hours, resulted in casualties, property damage and damage to six roads amid severe flooding, the agency wrote on X.

The capital witnessed heavy rainfall from Friday night into Saturday morning, affecting traffic and homes, with more rain expected in the coming hours, it said.

Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid, who chairs the National Flood Response Committee, urged residents, particularly those living near water channels, to exercise extreme caution.

Police chief Brig. Gen. Asad Osman Abdullahi oversaw assistance operations by police to help affected residents.