Impact of the 26-12-04 tsunami

Overview by country: Somalia

Topography: The coastal area is relatively flat with raised beach deposits and limestone outcrops
Geology: Along the coast: limestone covered by sandy alluvial sediments
Hydrogeology: Groundwater is found at shallow depths
Vulnerability: Intrusion of saline water during the tsunami flood is very likely due to the permeable soils and sandy sediments The salts in soils and aquifer will take a long time to be removed, because of the low rainfall (the coastal zone suffered from drought in the last five years)
Water supply: Groundwater is abstracted from shallow wells Water sources may serve population up to 50 km inland
Damage areas: water supply of Hafun is contaminated with saline water
Remarks: UNICEF: Damaged shallow wells are being rehabilitated and new water sources are constructed. WHO: There is one water system and 120 shallow wells. Water systems and sources in all areas visited were partially destroyed. Almost all of the shallow wells observed were completely buried or contaminated by sea floods. The majority of coastal villages do not have latrines due to rocky ground. Villagers use an open ground as a latrine.

Geological map of Somalia
Ref.: Geological Map of Ethiopia and Somalia, 1:2,000,000, Florence University, 1973