Tropical cyclone kills 100 people, thousands of livestock in Puntland

By . SABAHI.

At least 100 people are feared dead after a tropical cyclone hit Somalia's north-eastern Puntland region at the weekend, bringing strong winds, heavy rains and flash floods to the coastal towns of Eyl and Bandar Beyla, Dangorayo and Hafun.

"Information collected from coastal areas via irregular telephone contact over the past 48 hours indicates that up to 100 persons might have been killed, while hundreds of other people remain unaccounted for," a statement from Puntland administration said Monday (November 11th).

The cyclone struck the coast Saturday morning and is expected to continue inland through Wednesday, according to weather forecasts.

"Preliminary information also indicates that homes, buildings, boats and entire villages have been destroyed and over 100,000 livestock lost, endangering the livelihoods of tens of thousands of local people," the local administration said.

The storm has left many of the roads to affected areas inaccessible, but the Puntland administration said it is organising relief efforts and has appealed for international help.