Flash Floods Hit Aden, Hadi Orders Relief Measures

Arab World

April 22nd, 8:49am

Aden- Ali Rabea

Flash floods hit several Yemeni cities (EPA)

Flash floods caused by heavy rains have hit Yemen’s interim capital, Aden, leading to a power outage and city wide immobilization. Local sources confirmed that at least three Yemenis have drowned to death and that dozens of houses have been destroyed. This coincided with Houthis continuing their attacks against Yemeni Army locations in Sirwah district, west of Marib governorate, in east of Ad Dali' Governorate and in northwest of Hajjah governorate. Responding to public calls for draining the flood waters and housing stranded families whose homes have been destroyed, Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi ordered government parties to move quickly to aid those affected by the flash floods. Meteorologists warned that the atmospheric depression which caused the deluge on Tuesday and Wednesday will continue, asking Yemenis to be careful and to keep away from torrents. Aden city witnessed a total power outage with local officials saying that the service was purposely shutdown to prevent a disaster from happening as the power grid was flooded with water. Locals called for a swift intervention to drain the flood water before it mixes with the water network and sewerage waters and causes the spread of diseases because of piled garbage and mosquitoes. Witnesses stated that dozens of random homes in Tawahi, Sheikh Othman and Crater neighborhoods were drowned. Activists have uploaded video footage to social media showing local rescue operations carried out by residents in the neighborhoods of Aden. The footage also showed the effects of the destruction of homes and streets. Salem Al-Khanbashi, Yemen’s deputy prime minister, was ordered by Hadi to take necessary measures to provide relief to the residents. According to the state news agency Saba, Hadi stressed the need to activate the work of field committees concerned with relief and rescue to help all victims dealing with the resulting damages.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2246676/flash-floods-hit-aden-hadi-orders-relief-measures