Understanding where rainwater is most likely to accumulate
Mogadishu, Somalia | August 2026
Heavy rainfall can quickly lead to waterlogging in parts of Mogadishu, especially in areas where drainage is limited, the ground is relatively low, or rainwater has limited pathways to flow away.
To better understand this challenge, the Somali GIS Association (SOGISA) developed a geospatial map showing potential urban street waterlogging hotspots across Mogadishu during April–July 2026.
What does the map show?
The blue areas on the map represent potential street waterlogging hotspots identified through satellite-based analysis. These areas indicate locations where temporary water accumulation may occur during periods of rainfall.
The map gives us a city-wide view of where these potential hotspots are located. This can help identify areas that may need closer attention when planning drainage improvements and preparing for heavy rainfall.
How was the map developed?
SOGISA combined information from several satellite and geospatial datasets, including:
- Sentinel-1 SAR satellite imagery
- ESA WorldCover land-cover data
- JRC Global Surface Water
- OpenStreetMap
- Banadir administrative boundaries
These datasets were analyzed using GIS and remote-sensing techniques to identify areas within the built-up parts of Mogadishu that may be more likely to experience temporary water accumulation.
Why does this matter?
Waterlogging is more than just standing water on a street. It can affect transportation, businesses, homes, public services, and people’s daily activities.
Maps like this can help planners and decision-makers better understand the problem and ask important questions:
- Where are the main waterlogging hotspots?
- Which areas need field verification?
- Where should drainage improvements be prioritized?
- Which roads may need better stormwater management?
- Where should preparedness efforts focus during periods of heavy rainfall?
From mapping to action
This map is an important first step, but field verification is still essential. Satellite-based results should be compared with information from communities, local authorities, drainage conditions, rainfall records, and previous flooding events.
Bringing these different sources together can provide a clearer picture of Mogadishu’s waterlogging challenges and support better urban planning, drainage management, and climate resilience.
Figure
Figure 1. Urban Street Waterlogging Hotspots, Mogadishu, April–July 2026. Blue areas represent potential street waterlogging hotspots identified through satellite-based geospatial analysis.
Data sources: Sentinel-1 SAR (ESA/Copernicus), ESA WorldCover 2021, JRC Global Surface Water, OpenStreetMap, and Banadir administrative boundaries.
Prepared by: Somali GIS Association (SOGISA)