At least 45 dead as torrential rain,​ floods devastate Yemen

Yemen is grappling with yet another humanitarian crisis as torrential rains and subsequent flooding has claimed the lives of at least 45 people across the country, according to reports from the United Nations and local officials.

The southwestern province of Taez was among the hardest hit, with flash floods causing 15 fatalities in Maqbanah. The Hodeida region suffered even greater devastation, reporting 30 deaths, five missing, and over 500 displaced individuals. The flooding has caused widespread destruction, with homes, cars, and infrastructure swept away.

OCHA reported that the flooding in Taez has impacted 10,000 individuals, burying 80 wells, washing away farmland, and damaging homes. The agency noted "access difficulties" and a shortage of funding as major obstacles to aid efforts.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization had previously warned of significant rainfall, forecasting cumulative totals of 300 mm across the Central Highlands and Southern Uplands, with the highest daily intensity (over 120 mm) expected on August 7.

Since late July, Yemen has experienced heavy rainfall and flooding across various regions, exacerbating the hardships faced by its people in the midst of ongoing conflict. On July 28, OCHA reported the deaths of three individuals, including a child, due to flooding in the northern Saada governorate.

The flooding has also destroyed more than 1,000 homes of displaced individuals, affecting around 2,000 families.

Yemen, already facing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises due to a nearly decade-long war, is now battling the added challenges posed by extreme weather. The ongoing conflict has hindered relief efforts, making it difficult for aid agencies to reach those in need.