The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has sounded the alarm, cautioning against impending flash floods that may affect more than 6,000 individuals in several interior regions of Yemen in the coming days.
As reported by Yemen’s satellite channel, the FAO’s early warning bulletin from the agricultural meteorological department suggests a paradoxical weather pattern.
Although there is an anticipated significant decrease in rainfall, light to moderate rain is expected to persist over the western parts of the country until the end of September. These showers could potentially trigger flash floods, affecting approximately 6,500 people.
Furthermore, the bulletin highlights that nearly 4,000 individuals could face dangers in the catchment area of Wadi Zabid, spanning across the provinces of Ibb and Al-Hudaydah. This risk is especially pronounced in lower areas grappling with poor stormwater drainage. Additionally, southern parts of the Wadi Moor basin, located on the boundary between Hajjah and Al-Mahwit provinces, are likely to witness scattered sudden floods, potentially impacting around 2,500 individuals.
These predictions, although concerning, are critical for timely disaster response. The FAO urgently appeals to emergency management departments to adopt proactive measures in these designated areas. Such steps are pivotal in mitigating the repercussions of potential floods. Special attention has been directed towards safeguarding vulnerable agricultural communities and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
This latest alert underscores Yemen’s susceptibility to climatic hazards, which when coupled with its ongoing socio-political challenges, makes preemptive disaster planning all the more crucial. It’s hoped that these timely warnings and collaborations can help avert another major crisis in a country already facing multifaceted adversities.
