Gen. Sultan Al-Aradah, a member of the Leadership Council, chaired an emergency committee meeting in Marib Governorate.

In an extraordinary session held on Sunday evening, Sultan al-Aradah, the Governor of Marib and member of the Presidential Leadership Council, chaired an emergency committee meeting to address the aftermath of severe weather conditions that struck the province. The onset of a low-pressure system, expected to last 72 hours, brought heavy rains, strong winds, and thunderstorms, causing significant damage to lives and property, particularly in displaced persons’ camps.

Initial Damage Assessment

During the meeting, the committee reviewed preliminary statistics on the extent of the damage across various sectors. The harsh weather conditions resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including one death attributed to lightning strikes. Additionally, ten others sustained injuries, some of them serious, and are currently receiving medical care in hospitals.

The initial reports also highlighted that the homes of displaced persons in 41 camps across the directorates suffered damage. To date, 2,973 families have seen their homes completely destroyed, while 4,206 families have experienced partial damage. Authorities have relocated the affected families to temporary shelters, including schools designated for evacuation during emergencies.

Infrastructure and Public Services Restoration Efforts

The committee provided a preliminary evaluation of damage to infrastructure sectors, including electricity, health, water, and others. The emergency teams have been working continuously to repair public services, especially the electricity network, which suffered from distribution and transmission cuts and damage to transformers and breakers due to the rain. The teams have successfully restored more than five lines in the city and valley directorates, with ongoing repair work on other networks.

Calls for Swift Support and Repairs

Sultan al-Aradah urged for the quick provision of shelter, food, and essential supplies to the affected displaced families, funded by the local authority. He also called for coordination with humanitarian partners, including international and United Nations organizations, to contribute to urgent aid delivery.

Furthermore, al-Aradah directed the electricity department to expedite the repair of faults and restore power to the displaced camps affected by the rains and thunderstorms, with the local authority responsible for procuring and providing all necessary materials.

Continuous Emergency Committee Operations

The Presidential Leadership Council member emphasized the need for the emergency committee to work tirelessly and continuously around the clock. The committee is tasked with assessing damage, carrying out protection measures for citizens in camps and residential areas, and mitigating further expected damage amid ongoing low-pressure system conditions and corresponding weather warnings.

This proactive and coordinated response underscores the commitment of Marib’s local government and the Presidential Leadership Council to safeguarding and supporting the province’s vulnerable populations, especially in times of natural disasters and severe weather challenges.

 

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