40 people were killed and injured in heavy rains and massive floods in Al-Mahra province to the east of Yemen, where hundreds of homes were also exposed to damage, local authorities said yesterday.
A meeting of the Emergency Committee in Al-Mahra was held in the presence of Governor Muhammad Ali Yasser, and it revealed that 4 civilians died because of torrential rains and 36 others were injured.
Late yesterday, another death was reported. Local sources said a soldier after drowning in floods in Wadi Al-Jaza in the city of Al-Ghaydah. According to the sources, the soldier belongs to the military police. The soldier was identified as Ahmed Nasser Dahms Al-Nakhai
The floods and rains also displaced hundreds of families from their homes, and damaged roads, many bridges, tunnels, electricity poles, and the telecommunications network.
The United Nations has said the devastating rains and floods in Yemen affected more than 37,000 people this year.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations said yesterday, “the outlook until mid-May 2024 indicates an elevated likelihood of ongoing flooding, potentially leading to outbreaks of water-borne diseases in low-lying areas. This scenario is expected to present challenges for the crop planting season across various agroecological zones throughout the country.”
The organization said Ibb, Dhamar, and Sana’a and Socotra are expected to see increased rainfall ranging between 100 and 150 mm in the initial ten days of May 2024.
It also revealed that there is an abrupt increase in precipitation in the Eastern area of Yemen, leading to storm formation and likely causing floods in flood-prone areas.
According to the organization, a cyclone is anticipated in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea from May to June 2024. It urged vigilant monitoring and emphasized the need for frequent and efficient early warnings and proactive preparedness measures.
In Yemen’s north, the massive floods have heighten the risk of landmines. The parties to the conflict have planted thousands of landmines in multiple locations, including farms, deserts, mountains, roads, and buildings. With floods hitting many provinces, landmines will be swept away to safe areas, putting civilians and cattle in danger.
The Yemeni Landmines Observatory lately called for exercising more caution against mines and unexploded devices that are moved by floods into populated areas and displacement camps.
The Observatory called on travelers on main and alternative roads connecting the Yemeni provinces to take the highest degree of caution against the danger of mines and projectiles that floods uncovered.
