Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a devastating turn of events, heavy rains and flash floods have claimed the lives of at least eight people across several Yemeni provinces, with others injured and widespread damage reported. The torrential downpours, which intensified over the past two days, have overwhelmed communities, disrupted transportation, and further exacerbated the humanitarian challenges facing the war-torn country.
Authorities and local sources confirmed on Saturday, August 23, 2025, that the victims include children and adults alike, with fatalities occurring in both northern and eastern regions of Yemen.
Children Killed in House Collapse in Hajjah
In the northwestern province of Hajjah, tragedy struck when three young siblings, aged between five and eleven, lost their lives after their home collapsed under the pressure of ongoing rains. Local sources reported that the family residence gave way during the early hours of Saturday morning in the town of Abs, an area already overwhelmed by displaced families and inadequate infrastructure.
Widespread flooding in Hajjah has left dozens of homes damaged, particularly in camps housing internally displaced persons. Many families in these informal settlements are now facing renewed displacement and loss.
Drownings in Shabwa and Hadramawt
Meanwhile, in southeastern Yemen, the provinces of Shabwa and Hadramawt have also been severely affected. In Shabwa’s Asilan district, a father and his son drowned on Friday after being swept away by powerful floodwaters. The incident followed earlier reports of three other drownings in both Shabwa and neighboring Hadramawt, bringing the total number of flood-related deaths in the two provinces to five in just 48 hours.
Residents described the floods as swift and overwhelming, with many caught off guard by the intensity of the water’s rise. Some communities have reported the destruction of farmland and roads, further isolating already remote villages.
Major Disruptions in Aden
In the southern port city of Aden, unusually intense rainfall caused flash floods that virtually paralyzed traffic across the city on Saturday. Key intersections and main roads were submerged for several hours, rendering them impassable and causing chaos for commuters. This marks the second time in less than a week that Aden has experienced such severe flooding, prompting concerns about the city’s aging drainage infrastructure and its capacity to handle extreme weather events.
Climate Shift Brings Unprecedented Rainfall
Yemen, already grappling with years of conflict, displacement, and economic collapse, is now facing the growing impact of climate change. Since mid-June 2025, a noticeable shift in weather patterns has brought heavy rains, thunderstorms, and strong winds to various mountainous and coastal regions.
Meteorologists and environmental experts have warned that such extreme weather events are likely to become more frequent and intense. In many areas, inadequate urban planning, poor infrastructure, and deforestation have compounded the effects of the storms, increasing the risk of flash floods and landslides.
A Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The recent floods add another layer of hardship to Yemen’s complex humanitarian crisis. With over four million people already displaced by conflict, many of them living in makeshift shelters, even moderate rainfall can have catastrophic consequences. Aid organizations have expressed concern over the lack of emergency response capabilities and the limited access to affected areas.
As communities begin to assess the damage and mourn their losses, local authorities are urging national and international humanitarian agencies to step in with relief efforts. There are growing calls for long-term investment in climate resilience, particularly in infrastructure and early warning systems, to mitigate future disasters.
For now, Yemen faces the daunting task of recovery, amidst political instability, economic fragility, and the relentless pressure of nature’s wrath.
