Landslides, Heavy Rain in Yemen’s Highlands Claim 33 Lives

Severe landslides and torrential rains in Yemen’s Melhan district, Mahweet province, have resulted in the deaths of at least 33 people, Arab News reported yesterday. The National Center of Meteorology warned of ongoing severe weather, particularly in central highlands and western regions. The disaster, exacerbated by a collapsed hilltop dam, buried entire families and destroyed approximately 200 homes.

Rescue efforts were hampered as civil defense workers retrieved bodies using agricultural tools and their bare hands. Flash floods also struck Hodeidah province, claiming two more lives and damaging infrastructure. Residents reported unprecedented rainfall, with recorded totals of 111.6 mm in Hodeidah and significant amounts in other areas.

Local authorities expressed concern over the structural integrity of homes, with many unable to withstand the intensity of the rain. Since late July, harsh weather conditions have claimed over 100 lives and devastated numerous communities across Yemen.