Severe flash floods claim 25 lives in Yemen

At least 25 people have been confirmed dead following severe flash floods in Yemen’s northwestern province of Al-Mahwit, according to local health officials on Wednesday.

The floods, caused by over 24 hours of intense rainfall, led to the collapse of three dams and the destruction of numerous homes in the Malhan district on Tuesday.

Rescue efforts are ongoing, with several villagers still unaccounted for, as reported by local health sources.

Earlier this month, similar heavy rains and flash floods in the northern provinces of Hodeidah and Hajjah resulted in 45 deaths and damaged more than 12,000 homes, according to local health authorities.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about the potential spread of diseases due to contaminated water and inadequate sanitation in the wake of these floods, particularly in Yemen’s conflict-affected areas.

Yemen has been embroiled in civil war since late 2014, when the Houthi group took control of several northern provinces, leading the Yemeni government to relocate from the capital, Sanaa, NAN reports.