Heavy rains cause major flood damage on Socotra coast

Heavy rains destroyed dozens of homes and seriously threatened the livelihoods of the inhabitants of villages along the southern coast of the island of Socotra on 27 and 29 May, according to the Yemeni Red Crescent (YRC). Socotra which is part of the Aden governorate lies about 340km from the coast of Yemeni mainland and 250km off the Somali coast. “People are now suffering from a water shortage,” said Dr Usamah Noman, YRC secretary-general in Socotra. “An epidemic is expected in the affected areas as a result of all the dead animals.” Noman affirmed that no one had been reported killed but that stricken residents were in desperate need of foodstuffs and a means of transporting clean water. “No one expected such rains,” he said. “People weren’t ready, and were taken aback by the flooding.” According to Salem Daheq, YRC secretary-general for financial affairs in Socotra, some 2,700 people in thirteen villages had been affected by the rains, although they had yet to receive aid. Roughly 35 homes were totally destroyed, he added, while another 75 had been badly damaged. The flooding also destroyed livestock, claiming 3,024 heads of sheep, nine camels, four cows and six donkeys. Some 1,500 palm trees were also washed away and many orchards destroyed, according to a YRC report. Other properties lost in the downpour included fishing boats, nets, rods and water pipes. In 1999, the remote island was pounded by heavy rains for seven consecutive days. Heavy flooding led to the destruction of 1,500 homes and the partial destruction of another 1,000. Dozens of farms and orchards were also destroyed at the time. MAJ/SZ/AM