Floods and landslides claim 33 lives in Yemen’s Al-Mahwit Province, bringing the death toll to 119
Image credit: Al Jazeera (stillshot)
Severe floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains have claimed at least 33 lives in Yemen’s Al-Mahwit Province, as of Thursday, August 29, 2024. This brings the total number of fatalities since the start of the kharif rainy season to 119.
Major floods and landslides hit Al-Mahwit’s Melhan Province on Tuesday night, August 27, killing at least 33 people, destroying 28 homes, and damaging 200 others, according to Ali al-Zikam, secretary-general of the local council of Al-Mahwit Province.
The flooding also swept away livestock, five cars and left several people missing.
On August 29, Yemen’s Red Crescent reported that 38 people in the district were still missing.
What you see here is the devastating impact of floods in #Yemen. Heavy rains have ravaged Hajjah and Hodeidah, displacing families and deepening the crisis. Our Emergency Flood Response, funded by @startnetwork, is supporting households with cash, food, shelter, and support. pic.twitter.com/CBmUPZXyym
— Relief International (@ReliefIntl) August 29, 2024
Heavy rains have battered the highland provinces for a week and have also heavily affected neighboring Hodeida Province on the Red Sea coast.
An official statement released on Wednesday, August 28 said that 86 people have lost their lives in Hodeida, Reema, and Hajjah provinces since mid-July.
This brings the total number of fatalities, since the start of the kharif rainy season (July – September), to at least 119. An unknown number of people is missing.
Over 300 mm (12 inches) of rain is forecast in the coming months for the central highlands, Red Sea coastal areas, and the southern uplands, according to the World Health Organization.
08/28/2024 – Heavy rains cause major flooding in Malhan District, Al Mahwit, Yemen
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Severe flooding impacts Malhan District, Al Mahwit, Yemen – 08/28/2024
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08/28/2024 – Malhan District, Al Mahwit, Yemen – Severe flooding reported
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Yemen experiences two main rainy seasons, which are particularly distinct in the highlands. The first, known as the saif, occurs from April to May, bringing moderate rainfall. The second and typically heavier rainy season, called the kharif, takes place from July to September.
During these periods, the western highlands receive the most precipitation, while other regions, such as the coastal areas and the eastern parts of the country, experience varying amounts of rainfall. The saif and kharif seasons are crucial for agriculture in the highlands, where the patterns of rain significantly influence crop cultivation and water availability.
References:
1 Monsoon floods tear through a village in Yemen and kill 13 people – AP – August 28, 2024
2 16 dead in Yemen floods as search goes on: Houthi media – Arab News – August 29, 2024
3 Floods in Yemen kill at least 33 people, damage more than 200 homes – AP – August 29, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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