Zabid, Yemen - August 11, 2024

The death toll from recent heavy rains and flooding in Yemen climbed to 61 on Sunday, according to a statement by the Executive Unit for the Management of Displaced Persons Camps in Yemen.

Severe flooding in the country in the south of the Arabian Peninsula has caused widespread devastation. According to a report released on Sunday by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Yemen, torrential rains have affected 34,260 families, with displaced persons bearing the brunt of the impact.

As the floods receded in Al-Suwaidiyah village in Zabid District, located in western Yemen, the village remained in ruin. According to local authorities, the flood caused a total of three deaths in the village and destroyed more than 40 houses completely or partially.

The rainy season in western Yemen usually arrives in early July and lasts for nearly two months. However, due to climate change, this year's rainy season only arrived at the end of July, and the amount of precipitation per day has been much higher this year than in previous years.

As the situation worsens, Yemen's National Center of Meteorology has issued warnings to citizens throughout the country, urging them to avoid watercourses and exercise caution. The center forecasts continued heavy rainfall, floods, and strong winds, particularly in the highlands and western and southern regions of the country.

Last Thursday, the Yemeni government called for international support to help address the damage caused by recent heavy rains and floods.

Shotlist:
Zabid District, Al Hudaydah Governorate, Yemen - Aug 11, 2024:
1. Various of damaged buildings, debris on ground after floods;
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Muhammad Nasser, local villager:
"It suddenly began raining heavily in the evening of that day (Aug 6). Our house was damaged. Furniture and cattle were also washed away. We only rescued some things that we could grab. Everything else was gone.";
Sanaa, Yemen - July 28, 2024
3. Cityscape in heavy rain;
4. Various of inundated roads, traffic;
Al Hudaydah Governorate, Yemen - Aug 7, 2024
5. Aerial shots of inundated area, people, vehicles in water.

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