Yemen Braces for Devastation as Cyclone Chapala Nears

[polly7]

Published on
Monday, November 02, 2015
byCommon Dreams

Cyclone expected to make landfall on Tuesday morning with record rain and hurricane-strength winds

byNadia Prupis, staff writer

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A rare cyclone is expected to bring destructive wind and rain in the Arabian Peninsula. (Photo: CNN)

A rare and powerful cyclone tracking through the Arabian Peninsula is poised to make destructive landfall in Yemen on Tuesday morning.

Hours after devastating the nearby island archipelago of Socotra, where three were killed and more than 200 injured, Cyclone Chapala continues its rapid approach to the mainland, where meteorologists expect it will tear through the beleaguered region with record rainfall and hurricane-strength winds. It is also aiming to hit Oman, though fears of its impact there have diminished.

Global weather expert Dr. Mansour Al Mazroui told Gulf News on Monday that the cyclone may send a 400mm downpour onto the mainland in 24 hours—that's more than three years' worth of rain in a day, Al Mazroui said. As Weather Underground meteorologist Quincy Vagell explained on Sunday, such heavy rain increases the risks of "potentially catastrophic flooding."

It is believed to be the most powerful storm to hit Yemen in decades.

"A comparatively weak tropical cyclone in 2008 impacted Yemen with heavy rain and thunderstorms, causing 180 deaths," Vagell wrote on Sunday. "Chapala is expected to be considerably stronger, as forecasts call for the storm to maintain hurricane-equivalent intensity at landfall."

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/02/yemen-braces-devastation-cyclone-chapala-nears


So much horror, suffering and destruction already with Saudi Arabia's brutal war, and now this.


Cyclone Chapala bears down on mainland Yemen

1 hour ago

Chapala is believed to be the most powerful storm that Yemen has seen in decades.

The UN's World Meteorological Organisation described the cyclone as "extremely severe", and said that sea conditions around the centre of the storm were "phenomenal".

"The sea water level has risen by 9m (29ft) and has destroyed the Mukalla seafront," resident Mohammed Ba Zuhair told the Reuters news agency.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34698709

"Our problem is we have no one to help us here," he said, explaining the island has one hospital and four ambulances.

Yemen is already dealing with one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world, according to the United Nations.

Yemen conflict: What's going on?

The country has been plunged into chaos this year by a conflict between Houthi rebels and forces loyal to deposed President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi. A Saudi-led coalition in March began bombing the Houthis, who are aligned with Iran.

The widespread fighting has killed thousands of people, many of them civilians, and left millions more desperately short of food, water and medical supplies, the United Nations says.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/02/middleeast/yemen-tropical-cyclone-chapala/

Hoping this won't be as bad as feared.

[Judi Lynn]

1. Sure hope this won't be as bad as they fear, as well. They don't need this. n/t