Yemen Floods Result in 39 Deaths, Hundreds Displaced
Heavy rains and floods have claimed the lives of at least 39 people in northern Yemen over the past day, according to local health authorities. The province of Al Hudaydah experienced the highest fatalities with 30 deaths, while Taiz reported nine casualties.
In Al Hudaydah, nearly 500 families were forced to evacuate their homes due to the rising waters. Houthi media outlets reported dozens of injuries and stated that five people remain missing following severe flooding early Wednesday. The flooding has cut off many valleys, isolating communities and hindering rescue operations, while causing significant damage to infrastructure and property.
Just a few days earlier, flash floods in the Maqbanah district of Taiz resulted in 15 deaths and impacted approximately 10,000 people, as noted by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Yemen’s National Center of Meteorology has issued a warning about the possibility of continued rainstorms, advising residents to avoid flood-prone areas.
The country has been in turmoil since late 2014, when the Houthis took control of the capital, Sanaa, and much of the country. Although a UN-mediated truce in April 2022 reduced hostilities, Yemen continues to face severe economic difficulties and political fragmentation.
This latest natural disaster exacerbates the struggles of a population already dealing with widespread poverty, malnutrition, and inadequate access to essential services.
