Heavy storm hits Yemen’s southern and central areas
Image credit: Oxfam Yemen
Severe storms lashed southern and central areas in Yemen since September 27, 2019, affecting Aden, Lahj, Abyan, Shabwah, and Hadramaut governorates. As of October 3, the number of flood-stricken households recorded by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) has reached a total of 2 775.
The agency also reported that around 1 329 families were affected in Lahj, 900 in Aden, 508 in Abyan, and 38 in Hadramaut. 59 households were reportedly affected in Marib and 190 in Wusab As Safil District from September 28.
In Aden, power disruptions lasted for up to 15 hours after the storm broke electricity grids. Camps for internally displaced people (IDP sites) were also damaged in the city.
Heavy rains and #floods in several governorates across the whole of #Yemen are damaging farms, livestock and houses, while IDPs are struggling to stay protected and safe.
Footage: A video shared by a local source yesterday from #hudaydah governorate pic.twitter.com/YwwK1BR3LI— Oxfam Yemen (@OxfamYemen) October 2, 2019
The IDP sites include Ammar Bin Yasser, Al Sha'ab 1 and 2, the Saudi Agricultural Institute, Layla'a Khalil, Medical Store, and Al Maflahi Fence in Aden; Al-Mshqafa, Al Rabat, Al Baytarah, Sabr, and Al Garad in Lahj; and Gool Al Sada, Aber, Al Mahjar, Halama, Gool Ahmed and Al Rudaini in Abyan.
According to Yemen Meteorological Services, Aden received around 71 mm (3 inches) of rain in 24 hours to September 28. Abs and Aslam districts in Hajjah Governorate and Az Zuhra and Bayt Al Faqiah district in Hudaydah experienced heavy rains and floods on October 1.
Humanitarian partners and organizations are maximizing efforts to assess further needs and provide support to those suffering from the intense weather's aftermaths.
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