'Severe impact' feared in Yemen due to rain potential of cyclone Chapala
Date
11/4/2015 4:48:22 AM
(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
Geneva 4th November 2015 (WAM) -- As cyclone Chapala made landfall in the southwest of Riyan in Yemen with a surface wind speed of 120 to 130 kilometres per hour United Nations agencies have reported that although it had weakened rapidly the impacts could still be severe and challenging.
"Our big fear about this cyclone is the rainfall potential here" said Clare Nullis spokesperson for the World Meteorological Organisation WMO speaking at a press briefing at UN Headquarters in Geneva.
"There have been various reports that Yemen could get the equivalent of six to ten years of rainfall it's actually very difficult to quantify it" she continued. "I think the main point to underline is that Yemen is normally very arid it doesn't have the infrastructure to cope so we really do expect this cyclone to have a very significant impact."
Cyclone Chapala made landfall in Yemen while fighting between the Government and rebel Houthi forces in the country continues. Since March 2015 the crisis has been an all-out conflict with a military operation launched by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia.
Amid the violence many Yemenis are now receiving a "crash course" on how to cope with the cyclone Ms. Nullis explained. She noted that that the country doesn't have a functioning meteorological service or an observation network making it challenging for the WMO to know how much rain Yemen will get and to assess what it happening.
Meanwhile World Health Organisation spokesperson Fadela Chaib said that the UN Health Agency and the Yemeni Ministry of Public Health and Population are intensifying efforts to respond to the effects of cyclone Chapala which are expected to be more severe in Shabwah and Hadhramaut.
"[These areas] have a combined population of about 1.8 million people. This includes more than 100000 internally displaced people and 27000 refugees and migrants" said Ms. Chaib.
"In preparation for the health impact of the cyclone the WHO has delivered trauma kits for 1000 patients in Mukalla district of Hadhramaut Governorate. The organisation is also providing 12000 litres of diesel fuel to eight hospitals to ensure their continuous functionality as well as 2500 litres of petrol for 16 ambulances" she added noting that a Strategic Health Operation Centre was being established in the WHO Office in Sana'a.
Asked about casualties Ms. Chaib said that no information is available at the moment and stressed the importance of preparedness to ensure that health facilities are functioning and that information is available to facilitate appropriate emergency response.
She also indicated that given the "challenging situation" in Yemen the WHO will be relying on national non-governmental organisations and the Ministry of Public Health to ensure that aid is provided in places where needs are more acute given their knowledge of the area and accessible routes.
WAM/AAMIR/Moran