Barran Press
A young man drowned in the waters off Mukalla, Hadhramaut Governorate, eastern Yemen, on Friday, July 12, 2024, according to the Coast Guard forces affiliated with the internationally recognized Yemeni government. The incident occurred just days before the start of the "Najm Al-Balda" season, which traditionally sees a surge in swimming and bathing activities on the beaches of Mukalla.
The official Yemeni news agency Saba reported that the deceased, identified as Mohammed Anas bin Dabi'a, 23, was from the Ba'uzer district of Hadhramaut. The Coast Guard rescued seven others who were swimming in the Arabian Sea near the Al-Sittin area of Mukalla.
Saba reported that bin Dabi'a drowned in the Al-Sittin beach on Friday morning while swimming.
The report noted that residents and visitors to Mukalla traditionally bathe in the sea during the "Najm Al-Balda" season when the water temperature reaches its lowest point.
Local authorities in Hadhramaut and the Coast Guard issued a warning to residents to avoid bathing in areas with strong waves.
Hadhramaut's coastline witnesses numerous drowning incidents annually, particularly during the summer months, coinciding with the start of the "Najm Al-Balda" season. This season, which attracts thousands of visitors from Hadhramaut and other Yemeni governorates, begins in mid-July and lasts until the end of the month.
"Najm Al-Balda" is considered an astronomical phenomenon by the people of Hadhramaut, during which the sea water reaches extremely cold temperatures. Many believe that bathing in the sea during this season helps cure various ailments.