AL-MAH WIT, YEMEN - For the third consecutive week, Al-Mahwit Governorate (northern Yemen) has been experiencing continuous rainfall, varying in intensity. However, the heaviest rainfall hit the southern and western districts on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.

After 10 continuous hours of torrential rain, starting Tuesday afternoon and lasting until 2 am Wednesday, Al-Mahwit Governorate woke up to an unprecedented humanitarian disaster in the governorate's history, specifically in the Malhan district (105 kilometers west of the governorate).

"Barran Press" was the first to report on the disaster, with local sources in Al-Mahwit informing us (late Tuesday evening) of a humanitarian catastrophe in the Malhan district, known for its towering and steep mountainous terrain. The heavy rains caused the collapse of numerous homes and resulted in several casualties.

Dam Bursts

Local sources, speaking to "Barran Press" in separate interviews, detailed the disaster. They explained that the heavy and continuous rainfall led to the filling of water barriers scattered throughout the district's isolated areas. Many of these barriers burst, resulting in the washing away of residents' homes, farmland, and commercial properties. Several schools and mosques were also destroyed.

Sources added that all residents of the Qibla Malhan area evacuated to mosques, schools, and the peaks of the mountainous chain in the district. They emphasized that families are facing dire conditions due to the lack of food, medicine, shelter, and basic survival necessities, amidst the harsh weather conditions.

These sources also mentioned that massive rocks fell from the mountain heights, blocking the main and secondary roads leading to and from the district. They confirmed that the district's residents are completely trapped, with no assistance from the de facto authorities of the Houthi group, which controls the governorate.

Statistics and Figures

Regarding the casualties of the disaster, Abdul-Samad Al-Shaiba, head of the Al-Takaful and Al-Binaa Social Association, told "Barran Press" that preliminary information indicates the death of 43 citizens and the collapse of 37 homes due to floods and flash floods in the Qibla and Hamdan areas of the Malhan district.

In the Qibla area alone, Al-Shaiba said that the heavy rains caused the bursting of approximately 10 medium-sized rainwater harvesting tanks. He added that the floodwaters and flash floods resulting from the bursting of the dams destroyed 15 homes spread across 12 villages in the area.

Regarding the human losses in the Qibla area, Al-Shaiba reported the deaths of five people, including two women, while the fate of six others remains unknown.

In the Hamdan area, he said that the floods caused the collapse of 20 homes. The affected villages in the area include: Al-Madawar, Abid, Al-Mu'allim, Shaht Al-Sahn, and Sha'i. In the village of Sha'i alone, 25 citizens died, according to Al-Shaiba.

A Dire Situation

Abdul-Samad Al-Shaiba, head of the Al-Takaful and Al-Binaa Social Association, paints a grim picture of the situation. He describes the conditions as "extremely difficult," with many residents left to cope with the disaster on their own. Aid has yet to reach the most affected areas.

Al-Shaiba, speaking to "Barran Press" over the phone, highlighted the plight of the village of Shaht Al-Sahn, which housed approximately 16 homes. He explained that the residents managed to escape their homes before they were swept away by the floodwaters, but now find themselves "homeless and without food."

He emphasized that the floodwaters had washed away their homes and belongings, including livestock and personal possessions. He recounted how four villagers narrowly escaped death after being delayed in their escape from the rising waters.

Entire Villages and Families Destroyed

Al-Shaiba stated that entire villages in the district have been completely destroyed, with entire families, including women and children, affected. He specifically mentioned that "the victims from the Sha'i family are mostly children and women."

He described the situation as a "tragic catastrophe in a complex geography." He explained that the affected areas are isolated from each other, making access difficult through traditional routes. Communication with many villages is also impossible due to the ongoing situation.

Al-Shaiba explained that the heavy rainfall, which intensified from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning, caused the overflowing and bursting of rainwater harvesting tanks, leading to widespread destruction.

Urgent Needs and a Single Lifeline

The affected families urgently need aid, including shelter and food. The region also needs immediate road access, medical assistance for the injured and critically ill, and the emptying of overflowing water tanks to prevent further destruction of homes and livelihoods.

Regarding the response efforts, Al-Shaiba said that aid efforts are still hampered. He said that rescue teams have reached the Al-Zahr area but have been forced to stop due to road closures. He added that they have started clearing roads from the lower parts of the affected areas.

In the Al-Wulja market, which serves as the outlet for dams from several isolated areas, he said that rescue teams have reached the market and found body parts washed down by the floods. However, they have been unable to reach the higher areas where the affected families are located.

He pointed out that the only viable means of delivering aid at this time is by air, due to the challenging geography, the damage caused by the floods, and the ongoing flow of floodwaters in the area.

Scenes of Devastation

"Barran Press" obtained footage showing the devastating impact of the floods and flash floods in the isolated areas and villages of the Malhan district, located in a region of towering and steep mountains.

The footage shows deep ravines carved by the floodwaters through the mountainous villages, carrying away trees, rocks, homes, and people. It also shows numerous homes that have been partially or completely destroyed by the floods.

"Barran Press" also obtained images showing the bodies of victims found by residents on Wednesday morning, after they perished in the floods. Other images show massive rocks blocking the main asphalt roads leading to the district.

Further footage showcases the extent of the disaster, including the bodies of citizens buried under flood debris, and the wreckage of homes, cars, and other belongings swept away and deposited in the flood channels descending from the villages.

Social media activists shared a video that they claimed shows the moment three water dams in the district burst, revealing the powerful flow of floodwaters towards the villages located at the foot of the mountain.

Al-Hafashi added that the Red Crescent field team faced significant challenges in reaching the affected areas due to persistent rainfall, surging floodwaters, and the inaccessibility of most roads, which traverse extremely rugged and hazardous terrain.

Urgent Appeal for Assistance

The local authority, aligned with the internationally recognized Yemeni government, issued an urgent plea for assistance to rescue those affected by the floods and landslides in Al-Mahwit Governorate, particularly in Malhan district. They reported that dozens of homes, farms, and small dams have been washed away.

A statement released by the local authority stated that preliminary reports and assessments indicate the destruction of dozens of homes in Malhan district, with over 50 confirmed fatalities and the fate of countless others still unknown. The floods have also swept away numerous ponds, small dams, mosques, markets, and shops.

The statement further highlighted that dozens of citizens remain buried under debris, inaccessible to local residents. Numerous travelers have been stranded, and dozens of villages and districts are cut off due to the closure of paved roads and the international highway. Malhan district is completely isolated from the outside world.

The statement appealed to international organizations, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and all humanitarian and relief organizations to act swiftly and provide aid to the victims of the devastating floods.