Barran Press
The "Mutawwa'oon" (Volunteers) Foundation in Mukalla, Hadhramaut, announced on Sunday, July 14, 2024, its contribution to enhancing the preparedness of evacuation, rescue, and volunteer teams in anticipation of the 2024 "Nujum al-Balda" season, which will see a surge in beachgoers along the province's coastline until the end of July.
According to the official Yemeni news agency Saba, the Mutawwa'oon Foundation launched a project to bolster the readiness of the Coast Guard and volunteers in Hadhramaut, aiming to strengthen their field efforts.
The initiative received praise from the Deputy Head of Operations at the Coast Guard, Colonel Saleh al-Faheis, who emphasized the importance of such contributions in supporting and facilitating the Coast Guard and volunteer teams' operations during monitoring and supervision in field locations.
The project will provide shade canopies and chairs for the surveillance personnel, known as "life jackets," along with sun protection equipment and other necessities, contributing to the safety and security of beachgoers during this year's "Nujum al-Balda" season.
On Friday, July 12, the Coast Guard forces, under the Ministry of Interior of the internationally recognized Yemeni government in Hadhramaut, reported the drowning death of a young man, days before the start of "Nujum al-Balda," a period known for increased swimming and bathing activities on the beaches of Mukalla.
Saba reported the drowning of 23-year-old Mohammed Anas bin Dabi'a, a resident of the Ba'uzer district in Hadhramaut. The Coast Guard rescued seven others who were swimming in the Arabian Sea waters in the Al-Sittin area of Mukalla.
Drowning incidents are common along the Hadhramaut coastline, particularly during the "Nujum al-Balda" season, when strong waves coincide with a surge in visitors from Hadhramaut and other Yemeni provinces.
The "Nujum al-Balda" season, which runs from mid-July to the end of the month, is considered by the people of Hadhramaut to be an astronomical phenomenon during which the sea water reaches exceptionally cold temperatures. Many believe that swimming in the sea during this season can aid in the recovery from various illnesses.