Barran Press
Sources revealed on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, that dozens of historic houses, buildings, and markets in Old Sana'a, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are facing imminent danger due to persistent rainfall and flooding, according to the international newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat."
The newspaper quoted sources stating that recent rainfall has led to the complete or partial collapse of numerous houses in Old Sana'a, while others have suffered cracks and leaks, making them vulnerable to collapse.
They reported that a two-story historic house partially collapsed two days ago in the Harqan neighborhood of Old Sana'a, amidst accusations that the Houthi group, internationally designated as a terrorist organization, ignored calls for help from citizens.
With continued rainfall and a lack of intervention, sources spoke of various damages sustained by many historic buildings and markets in Old Sana'a due to the continuous flow of floodwaters, according to the newspaper.
The newspaper revealed the presence of cracks and leaks in some historic houses and buildings in Old Sana'a, including the historic neighborhoods of Saba, Al-Abhar, Khudair, Zabarah, Al-Hassousa, Al-Nahrain, Al-Falehi, Brom, and Al-Muftoon. These neighborhoods are now susceptible to collapse due to these factors and the absence of regular maintenance.
The newspaper highlighted the circulation of images and footage on social media platforms by Yemeni users, showcasing historic neighborhoods registered with UNESCO in Old Sana'a submerged in floodwaters. The water has trapped many residents in their homes.
Residents in Sana'a expressed their disappointment at the Houthi authorities' lack of response to their calls for help, as water levels reached record highs, inundating their neighborhoods and reaching some homes, causing varying degrees of damage, according to the newspaper.
Damage in Ibb
In Ibb Governorate (193 kilometers south of Sana'a), local sources reported that three historic houses in the districts of Jabal and Al-Adain collapsed due to heavy rains experienced by the governorate and the rest of Yemen.
They added that the floodwaters caused the collapse of two historic houses located in the Makkad neighborhood of historic Jabal. These houses belonged to two individuals: one from the Al-Zuhbi family and the other from the Al-Khabani family in Ibb.
The sources warned, according to the newspaper, that several historic houses in the same neighborhood in Jabal Ibb are facing imminent collapse due to continued rainfall and the inaction of the coup authorities, who have failed to fulfill their basic duties of protection and maintenance.
This incident comes days after the partial collapse of a house in Old Ibb and the complete collapse of another in the Al-Radmah district of the same governorate.
In the city of Al-Adain, the newspaper reported that the oldest historic building dating back to the Ottoman era has suffered near-total collapse due to rainfall and deliberate neglect by the Houthi group.
This building, characterized by its intricate carvings, arches, and massive wooden doors, had suffered partial collapse three years ago. At the time, residents' appeals for assistance were met with no response from the Houthis, according to "Asharq Al-Awsat."
Many old and historic houses remain at risk of collapse, with the low-pressure system expected to persist over large parts of the country. The Agricultural Meteorological Early Warning System, affiliated with the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the UK Met Office issued a new warning stating that Ibb Governorate could receive over 300 millimeters of rainfall over the next ten days. Heavy rainfall is expected in the central and southern highlands, with increased risks of flooding.
The Yemeni National Center for Meteorology and Early Warning reported that Sana'a recorded the highest rainfall in the past two days and predicted the continuation of varying levels of thundery rainfall in several governorates.