"The system is heading fast inland towards Somalia and will likely hit the neighbouring livelihood zones in Kenya and Ethiopia as well," the statement said. The three countries lie on and to the south of the Horn of Africa.

The northern Indian Ocean cyclone has raised concerns of possible flooding in southern Somalia, as well as the northern pastoralist zones, the UNDP explained.

"The situation might be worse for Somalia since Deyr (long rains) received in parts of southern and northern Somalia have been above normal," it added.

Basic infrastructure in the east African nation has collapsed as a result of years of violence, which started in 1991 when dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was toppled.

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