SOMALIA: Puntland warns of drought
NAIROBI, 10 APRIL 2003 (IRIN) - Parts of the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland are facing serious water shortages, Puntland's acting information minister, Abdishakur Mire Adan, told IRIN on Thursday.

He said the problem is most acute in the regions of Sool and Sanaag, which are claimed by both Puntland and the neighbouring self-declared republic of Somaliland.

Also seriously affected by are the districts of Bargal, Iskushuban, Qandala, Alula, Badar Beyla and Qardo, all of Bari Region, and parts of Nugal Region, said Abdishakur. "We have had very little rain in the Gu season [April-June] so far and the delay of Gu season has exacerbated an already bad situation."