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YEMEN FACES LINGERING FLOOD RISKS AS RAINY SEASON CONCLUDES
As Yemen's Kharif rainy season draws to a close, the country transitions from heavy rainfall to drier conditions. This period is crucial for agricultural activities, especially in the western highlands and coastal plains, where farmers begin harvesting crops like sorghum, millet, and various vegetables. The floods from the previous month have caused substantial agricultural damage, which is expected to affect food security in already vulnerable regions. This underscores the urgent need for immediate recovery efforts and improved flood management strategies for future rainy seasons. The destruction of farmland has not only delayed harvesting activities but also caused setbacks in planting for the upcoming season. These challenges highlight the importance of developing resilient agricultural practices and infrastructure to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events on Yemen's food production and rural livelihoods.
Key Concerns:
Flood Humanitarian Response Needs in Yemen August 2024: In August 2024, Yemen experienced severe flooding caused by unusually heavy seasonal rains, severely impacting the western and central highlands. A rapid impact assessment conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Food Security and Nutrition Information System(Relief Web), using advanced geospatial techniques, highlighted the disaster's scale: showing that 210,084 people directly affected, 98,726 hectares of farmland damaged, and 279,400 sheep and goats impacted.
These flash floods, which impacted several governorates, are likely to exacerbate the already widespread malnutrition issues in the country, with children and vulnerable communities being at the highest risk. The significant damage to Yemen's agricultural sector presents both immediate and long-term threats: with immediate impact: Reduced availability of food; and long-term consequences: Weakened food security and economic stability
To tackle this crisis, a two-pronged approach is essential to provide urgent food and non-food assistance to affected populations and develop strategies for long-term agricultural recovery and food security. By addressing both immediate needs and implementing sustainable solutions, Yemen can work towards mitigating the disaster’s impact and building resilience against future climate -related challenges.
A gradual decrease in rainfall is expected over the next 10 days: In the upcoming days, there will be a consistent decline in rainfall intensity. Expected total precipitation will range from 60 to 100 mm in the governorates of Ibb, Dhamar, and Al Mahwit. Additionally, the coastal regions of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea, including Socotra Island, will see occasional showers, with total precipitation nearing 5 mm.
Residual Flooding Poses a Threat in Key Areas: Despite the expected rainfall amounts, the risk of prolonged flooding remains in certain watersheds due to the very high soil moisture content from previous rains and residual floodwater runoff. There is a likely risk of flood resurgence in Wadi Mour, Rimah Wadi, and Zabid Wadi, all situated in the western part of the country (see fig. 1).
Expected Threats on Population, Agriculture and Infrastructure: The anticipated rainfall and potential subsequent flooding are expected to worsen existing challenges, especially in low-lying areas where agriculture has already been heavily impacted by previous flooding episodes.
Critical factors to consider:
- Health risks: Lingering floodwaters create breeding grounds for disease, endangering both human and animal populations.
- Widespread community effects: Prolonged flooding threatens crops, potentially leading to significant harvest losses and increased food scarcity. In addition, built environment: Compromised residential structures and public facilities remain vulnerable to further damage.
- Financial impacts: Destruction of vital infrastructure and agricultural disruption may result in substantial economic setbacks at local and national scales.
These interconnected challenges underscore the importance of implementing holistic disaster management plans. Such strategies should aim to minimize the diverse and far-reaching impacts on affected populations, encompassing prevention, preparation, and recovery measures.
Elevated Temperatures:
The country is expected to experience a resurgence in high temperatures, with the northern area of Hadramaut seeing levels reach up to 44 degrees Celsius. Additionally, certain areas in the inland Eastern Plateau, along the Red Sea coast, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea will experience temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius (refer to Fig. 2). These high temperatures foster conditions that encourage faster pest reproduction, broader geographic distribution, and increased feeding, while also facilitating the spread of diseases. When combined with the stress on crops and livestock, this enhances the risk of pest outbreaks.
Preventive Measures:
The floods have had mixed effects on farmers: Some fields benefited from increased water availability during the season, whereas others suffered damage or total loss of crops, such as sorghum, millet, and vegetables. Humanitarian partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, need to develop effective response strategies to address the emergency needs of agricultural communities affected by the floods. Additionally, Early Warning systems should continue to be offered to help farmers take advantage of favourable climatic and soil conditions to boost food production in the upcoming weeks.