Barran Press
Hodeidah , Yemen - Heavy rains and flash floods have caused widespread destruction and loss of life in the western Yemeni governorate of Hodeidah, according to local sources. The flooding, which began on Tuesday evening, August 6th, has claimed the lives of at least four people, including two high-ranking military officers.
Two officers from the Yemeni government forces, Brigadier General Ahmed Hassan Ahmed Abdulsalam, head of operations for the 9th Brigade of the Giants Forces, and Brigadier General Mohammed Othman Mashafel, commander of the 2nd Zaraniq Brigade's artillery, were among the victims. Abdulsalam and two of his aides were swept away by the floods in the Wadi al-Marir valley in Hays district, while Mashafel's body was found later in the same district.
The floods have also caused widespread damage to homes and property, with many houses being destroyed, and livestock lost. Local sources report that dozens of people are missing, including children, women, and elderly individuals, who were swept away by the floods in various areas of the governorate.
The situation in the Tihamah Plain, which encompasses much of Hodeidah, is described as catastrophic, with entire neighborhoods, villages, and farms inundated by the floodwaters. The floods have been particularly severe in the districts of Zabid, Qanawis, and Ad Durayhimi.
The Yemeni government's deputy minister for local administration, Abdul Latif al-Fajir, has called for immediate intervention to provide aid and rescue to those affected by the floods. He has contacted the governor of Hodeidah, Hassan Taher, to assess the situation and coordinate relief efforts.
Al-Fajir has also appealed to local and international humanitarian organizations to provide urgent assistance to the flood victims. He noted that the majority of the homes destroyed were simple structures built by the local Tihami population, highlighting the vulnerability of the communities affected.
The governor of Hodeidah has reported that, in addition to the confirmed deaths, there are several missing individuals, including three soldiers from the government forces stationed on the front lines. Rescue and evacuation efforts are ongoing, but are hampered by the limited resources available in the governorate, which is largely controlled by the Houthi rebels.
The heavy rains and subsequent floods have highlighted the vulnerability of the Yemeni population to natural disasters, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict. The lack of infrastructure and resources, coupled with the control of the Houthi rebels over much of the governorate, has made it difficult to respond effectively to the crisis.