Severe floods in Melhan district in northern Yemen have resulted in the death of at least 33 individuals and caused extensive damage to over 200 homes, as reported by a local official. The heavy rains began on Tuesday as part of Yemen’s monsoon season, triggering significant flooding and rockslides in Al-Mahwit province.

According to Ali al-Zikam, the secretary-general of the local council of Al-Mahwit province, the floods have led to the demise of 33 people, the destruction of 28 houses, and the development of cracks in 200 other residences. Additionally, five cars were swept away, and multiple individuals remain unaccounted for.

Yemen’s Red Crescent indicated on Thursday that 38 individuals are still missing, with ongoing efforts to locate them. The agency described the situation in al-Mahwit as a substantial disaster. The flooding comes as Yemen continues to grapple with a devastating civil war that commenced in 2014, resulting in widespread turmoil and displacement across the nation.

The distressing impact of the floods extends beyond Al-Mahwit, with over 33,000 families affected by the ongoing monsoon season that began in mid-July. The Houthis reported that 86 individuals lost their lives due to flooding in Hodeida, Reema, and Hajjah provinces in southern Yemen.