Seven people, including four children and a woman, were killed by lightning strikes in five Yemeni provinces on Monday evening, according to local news sources.
The fatalities occurred in the provinces of Raymah, Amran, Lahij, Sanaa, and Ibb amidst the ongoing seasonal rains.
This brings the total number of lightning-related deaths in Yemen to 12 since the beginning of the week and 30 since the start of the month.
The increasing fatalities highlight the severe impact of the current weather conditions.
Since March, dozens of Yemenis, including women and children, have been killed or injured by lightning strikes across various provinces.
These incidents are coinciding with the heavy thunderstorms that have been affecting the country.
Meteorological experts attribute the rise in lightning strike casualties to climate change effects that Yemen is experiencing.
Preliminary records show that 173 people were killed or injured by lightning strikes in the years 2020, 2021, and 2022.
In 2023 alone, over 150 deaths and injuries have been documented due to lightning strikes, almost matching the total recorded in the previous three years combined.
In related news, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has forecasted potential flash floods in several Yemeni regions, particularly coastal and low-lying areas, due to the expected increase in rainfall over the coming weeks.
According to the FAO’s latest agro-meteorological early warning bulletin, the risk of flooding is heightened during Yemen’s rainy season, which lasts from July to September.
The organization predicts that the coming weeks will see an increase in rain intensity, leading to flash floods, especially in July, which typically records significant rainfall across many parts of the country.
