At least 16 people have died in Somaliland as Tropical Storm Sagar dealt a blow to the region, bringing high winds, heavy rain and flash floods to parts of Somalia and Djibouti.

Images showed waist-deep water in the streets of Mogadishu, and flooding in Djibouti City where the United States Embassy was among those to close offices Sunday because of the storm.

The known fatalities occurred in coastal Galbeed and Awdal, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The severe weather conditions also resulted in fatalities in Puntland, while destroying homes and farms, and authorities report dozens of fishing boats have gone missing.

At least 12 different relief agencies are involved in coordinating the humanitarian response, and met with Somaliland government officials on Sunday. The UN, along with Somali officials, are asking for USD$80 million to deal with unprecedented flooding in the Horn of Africa nation in recent weeks.

“Tens of thousands of people have been affected by flooding, displacement and the destruction of infrastructure in Sagar’s wake,” OCHA said. “Due to the (armed) dispute over the regions of Sool and Sanaag and lack of access to some affected areas after the destruction of roads, the situation of affected populations and impediments caused by blocked roads and failed communications, the extent of the damage is yet to be fully confirmed.”

Officials in Djibouti said between 20,000 and 30,000 people were affected, where schools and community centers were inundated by flash floods. Some shelters in Damarjog and at the Ali Addeh refugee settlement were damaged or destroyed, but most areas did not suffer catastrophic damage, OCHA said.

India’s meteorological service said the storm had moved well inland and was bringing heavy rain to parts of Ethiopia.

Image: Abdurahman Gelle/Somalia met service