NYN | News:
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned of an increasing risk of flash floods due to heavy rainfall in wide areas of Yemen in the coming days.
According to FAO’s early warning agricultural meteorological bulletin issued yesterday, it stated, “The final days of April are expected to witness a gradual increase in rainfall ranging from 150 to 200 mm on average, with the highest levels expected in the highland governorates of Dhamar, Ibb, Raymah, parts of Sana’a, and Al-Dhalea.”
The bulletin added, “The expected rainfall levels are higher compared to the same period last year,” and explained, “Since the past few days witnessed floods in Hadramout and Al-Mahrah governorates, it is highly likely that the heavy and intense rainfall at the end of this month will lead to widespread flooding in many locations within the country.”
FAO emphasized that “flood forecasting models indicate heavy and prolonged rainfall (exceeding 80 mm in some areas and over 100 mm in other areas) even in regions that usually experience low precipitation during this time of the year.”
It further clarified, “This increases the risks of flash floods, which have a greater impact along major valleys such as Wadi Mur (Hajjah and Al-Hodeidah) and Wadi Suhaim, Ramaah, Sardoud, and Zabid (Al-Hodeidah, some parts of Ibb and Dhamar).”
The bulletin stated, “There is an expected occurrence of floods in Wadi Zana, which may affect some areas in Marib, and rainfall is expected in the upper parts of Wadi Bana and Wadi Tiban, but it will be less intense compared to the previous valleys.”
It also noted that “these heavy rains will be accompanied by landslides, primarily concentrated in areas with steep terrains along major roads in Manakha (Sana’a), Samara (Ibb), and Kahlan (Hajjah).” It confirmed that “the continued pooling of water in the cities of Sayoun and Mukalla in Hadramout Governorate, which were hit by severe floods last week, poses an increasing threat of the spread of diseases.”
