NYN | News
A state of alert and concern prevails in Yemen’s western coastal areas after clouds of smoke and ash from the Ethiopian volcano reached the region, prompting authorities to issue urgent warnings to farmers to protect their crops and livestock.
The General Administration for Agricultural and Fisheries Guidance and Training, affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture in the Sana’a government, issued recommendations via its Facebook page “Yemeni Agricultural Guidance,” warning that volcanic ash is not ordinary dust but an acidic and dense substance that could affect public health and the agricultural season if rapid measures are not taken.
The administration explained that volcanic smoke and dust contain fine particles and irritating gases such as sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and fluorides, which may cause crop damage, reduced yields, and direct impacts on livestock and bees, in addition to contaminating pastures and drinking-water sources.
The main recommendations included washing plants and crops to remove ash and suspended particles, delaying harvesting if crops are covered with ash, providing shelter for livestock and poultry, and covering water and feed sources.
The administration stressed the need to monitor the health of plants and animals in the coming days and to take early preventive steps to reduce potential losses and ensure the safe continuity of agricultural activity.
This comes after the eruption of the volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region on Sunday and the subsequent arrival of its ash cloud in Yemen, which has stirred concern among citizens and farmers alike.
