The U.N. said in a statement Tuesday that hundreds more are unaccounted for after heavy rains lashed the northern region of Puntland on Sunday. Communication lines and road access have been severed, hampering the verification of information and delivery of assistance.
Puntland authorities have declared an emergency and asked for aid. Puntland's president originally estimated the death toll at 100. Puntland authorities have increased that estimate to 300.
The U.N. says that according to government estimates, 30,000 people are in need of food, water, shelter and medical supplies. The U.N. estimated that the northern Somali coast got as much rainfall during the storm as in all of 2012 in some areas.
