Destructive flash floods hit Aden, Yemen

Destructive flash floods ripped through Aden, Yemen on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, turning roads into raging rivers and claiming lives of at last two people. At least 4 others were injured. Heavy rains are also expected on Thursday, March 26.

Heavy rains caused severe flash flooding across the Aden on Wednesday, destroying homes and roads, washing away vehicles and leaving the city without power.

Two people– a man and a woman– died after being caught by the waters. Rescuers were able to save the two and send them to a hospital, but the victims passed away before receiving treatment.

"Floods in Aden have caused extensive damage to many homes and properties," said the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Yemen.

"Humanitarian partners are rushing to the site to see what needs to be done. They’ll be providing emergency assistance as soon as they can," it continued.

The catastrophe came amid the country's preparations for an impending threat of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Although local and international health officials have not yet recorded any cases of coronavirus in Yemen, UN officials said the pandemic may overwhelm poorly-equipped health facilities in the country.

Abd al-Nasser Abu Bakr, the head of the department for combating infectious diseases at the World Health Organization office in the Eastern Mediterranean, said an unexpected increase of coronavirus cases in Syria and Yemen is expected.

Medical professionals warned as well that the government needs to take a quick response to resolve the issue of flooding, as stagnant water poses a risk of becoming a breeding ground for insects that could carry infectious diseases.

Meanwhile, severe weather threat continues for the nation as another bout of heavy rainfall is predicted for Thursday, March 26.

Julie Celestial

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