Yemen Again at the Mercy of Floods .. Victims, Destruction, and Warnings of Upcoming Floods

In a tragic repetition that occurs every year, heavy rains accompanied by torrential floods have struck several Yemeni governorates since the beginning of the week, causing a new humanitarian disaster added to the chronic suffering of Yemenis due to war, poverty, and the collapse of infrastructure.

According to preliminary reports, 12 people have died as a result of drowning or the collapse of their homes due to the floods, while at least 16 others have sustained varying injuries, including children.

Dozens of homes have been destroyed, and entire families have been displaced, finding themselves in the open without shelter or sufficient aid.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) revealed that 180 families have been affected in the Al Hudaydah and Hajjah governorates, indicating that its teams rushed to carry out emergency response operations that included providing essential humanitarian aid and assessing the extent of the damage.

It confirmed that efforts are still ongoing to secure temporary shelter and essential supplies for the affected.

For its part, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warned of an unprecedented wave of rains during the peak of the autumn season, especially in the western and central highlands of the country.

The organization predicted rainfall amounts exceeding normal levels, reaching more than 300 mm in areas extending from Saada in the north to Ibb and Taiz in the south.

The organization classified the governorates of Ibb, Taiz, Hajjah, Saada, and the valleys of Sardood, Bani Qais, Ramah, and Haradh as high-risk areas, warning of the possibility of torrential floods and landslides that could isolate entire villages and threaten the lives of farmers and herders.

The FAO indicated that more than 113,000 hectares of agricultural land are at risk of flooding, representing about 8% of the total cultivated land in Yemen until July 2025.

It urged farmers and herders to take immediate precautionary measures, such as avoiding crossing submerged valleys, moving livestock to higher areas, and enhancing agricultural drainage channels.

In Aden, the Yemeni government held an emergency meeting chaired by Prime Minister Salem bin Brek, discussing the repercussions of the low-pressure system and urgent measures to deal with the disaster.

During the meeting, the establishment of a national emergency center was approved to coordinate efforts to confront natural disasters and climate changes.

Bin Brek emphasized that random construction in flood channels is one of the main reasons for the exacerbation of disasters, stressing the need to adopt safe urban plans that consider environmental risks.

He also called for doubling efforts and enhancing fieldwork to protect lives and property.

He pointed out that confronting climate disasters requires a comprehensive national vision that combines short-term emergency plans with long-term strategies, including improving coordination with international organizations to finance and implement environmental and community protection programs.

The damage included the governorates of Aden, Lahij, Hadramout, Shabwa, Al Hudaydah, and Sana'a, where the floods caused the death and injury of dozens, along with severe losses in infrastructure and roads and widespread destruction of displacement camps.

Thousands of families face the risk of remaining homeless amid the limited capacity of the government and humanitarian organizations to respond quickly.

The FAO, along with other humanitarian organizations, stressed the need to prepare a national emergency plan that includes continuous monitoring of water levels, providing safe drinking water, health services, and ensuring the delivery of food and medical supplies to affected areas.

It also called for investment in early warning systems and the development of infrastructure to resist floods, warning that the absence of these measures will make any upcoming wave of rain a compounded disaster.

Climate experts see that the situation in Yemen warns of the exacerbation of a compound humanitarian crisis, where natural disasters intertwine with the political and living crisis.

Families that have lost their homes or livelihoods face the danger of extreme poverty and food insecurity in a country that already suffers from fragile infrastructure and a lack of humanitarian funding.

In light of this grim scene, the lives of Yemenis remain suspended between the mercy of the sky, limited resources, and the urgent need for local and international action to prevent further disasters and casualties.