Floods leave wake of destruction in crisis-hit Yemen

By Ali Owaida

MAARIB, Yemen (AA) - At least five people were killed on Wednesday by torrential rainfall and flooding in Yemen’s central Ibb province, while a number of others remain missing, according to reports by local residents.

Since Tuesday, several parts of the country have been inundated by heavy rainfall, which has led to torrential flooding, especially in Ibb’s Jiblah Directorate.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, local residents said at least five people in the directorate had been killed after being swept away by the flooding, while a number of others still remain missing.

Several homes in the area have been destroyed by flashfloods, according to the same sources.

On Tuesday, at least 14 people were killed by heavy rainfall and flooding in the southern Lahij province’s Al-Maqatira Directorate.

“We haven’t seen rainfall like this in 20 years,” Al-Maqatira resident Ali al-Kubati told Anadolu Agency.

“Trucks and cars have been swept away by the floodwaters and several people have lost their lives,” al-Kubati said.

He went on to note that a vital highway linking Al-Maqatira to the southern city of Aden (which currently serves as interim capital for Yemen’s internationally-recognized government) had been closed indefinitely due to the flooding.

Along with a bloody conflict pitting the government against a powerful Shia militia group, impoverished Yemen is still reeling from a recent cholera outbreak that left hundreds dead.