Hundreds of Thousands Displaced following Historic Floods in Somalia

Rescue and relief efforts are underway in Somalia following historic flooding that has left at least 22 people dead and affected more than 460,000 people, according to the United Nations.

The flash and riverine flooding -- said to be one of Somalia’s worst in decades -- has been triggered by intense Gu seasonal rainfall which caused the Shabelle and Juba Rivers in central Somalia to overflow their banks.

"Floods have washed away livestock, inundated farmland and displaced an estimated 219,00 people," Petroc Wilton, the head of communications at WFP Somalia, told ABC News. "We have been using chartered flights, boats and tractors to get into flood zones."

She added, "Gu seasonal rains have caused these floods and increased humanitarian needs."

At least 22 people have been killed, according to Somalia’s Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA). Somalia has also been experiencing its longest drought on record.