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Yemen

ACAPS Thematic report - Yemen: Impacts of 2024 heavy rains (29 August 2024)

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OVERVIEW

Yemen typically experiences two main rainy seasons, with the country’s rainfall patterns varying significantly across different regions. In the highlands, the rainy seasons are the Saif (April–May) and Kharif (July–September) seasons. Along the coast, rain mainly falls in the winter months (December-March) (WB 22/04/2010). Yemen is currently in the midst of the Kharif season, the second of its twice-yearly rainy periods.

The impact of this rainy season, which began in July, has killed at least 45 people and affected over 37,700 others, with the western governorates of Al Hodeidah, Hajjah, and Ta’iz bearing the brunt of in terms of the number of affected districts and individuals (IR 09/08/2024; FAO 12/08/2024; KII 14/08/2024). The regions most at risk of flooding and its consequences during the current Kharif season include the highlands and traditionally flood-prone areas, such as Al Hodeidah, Amran, Dhamar, Hajjah, Sa’dah, Sana’a, and Ta’iz. The current season has seen an exceptional deviation from normal weather patterns and is affecting the coastal areas, which do not typically experience significant flooding during this time of the year (WB 22/04/2010). This has resulted in the extensive displacement of thousands of individuals, including over 6,000 people in Al Hodeidah alone. The floods have also destroyed critical infrastructure, such as by breaking electrical poles and having a severe impact on shelters. The floods that began in late June have killed 57 people (IOM 12/08/2024). Hard-hit governorates include Al Hodeidah, Hajjah, and Ta’iz, where the floods have damaged homes. Flooding has affected 180,000 people across 20 districts in Al Hodeidah alone, with the most severe damage in Al Marawi’ah, Az Zaydiah, Bayt Al Faqih, and other nearby areas. Areas in Hajjah governorate that have received intense impacts include Hajjah City and Mustaba, while widespread flooding in Al Mahwit governorate, particularly in Bani Sa’d, has aggravated the crisis (Asharq Al-Awsat 17/08/2024, 11/08/2024, and 09/08/2024).