Low-Pressure System Threatens Mahra, Socotra, and Hadhramaut; Government on Alert Amid Rain and Flood Warnings

Preparations are expanding in Yemen's eastern governorates and archipelago to face the potential impacts of a tropical low-pressure system in the southwest Arabian Sea. With forecasts of thunderstorms and rain extending to coastal, mountainous, and inland areas, local authorities and service agencies have begun taking precautionary measures to protect residents and property and secure transport and maritime navigation.

The warnings are concentrated on the governorates of Mahra, Hadhramaut, Shabwa, and Socotra, amid expectations that the weather system's effects will deepen over the highlands and inland plateaus, and that the moist air mass will extend to other parts of Yemen in the coming days.

The latest satellite images show the low-pressure system's effects beginning to deepen over the southern highlands in Mahra and Hadhramaut, and some highlands in southern Shabwa, coinciding with the activity of cumulonimbus thunderclouds in parts of the eastern governorates.

The director of the Multi-Hazard Early Warning Center in Hadhramaut, Abdulrahman Humaid, said that the tropical low-pressure system, expected to move towards the Horn of Africa, may extend its effects to the Gulf of Aden and parts of the eastern governorates, with its intensity concentrated on the highlands and inland plateaus.

Humaid explained that a moist air mass accompanying the tropical disturbance is expected to extend its impact after passing over Somalia on Friday and Saturday, affecting the remaining governorates until next Sunday.

Mahra: Raising Readiness and Warnings for Farmers and Fishermen

In Mahra governorate, Governor Mohammed Ali Yasser chaired an emergency committee meeting to discuss preparations for the potential effects of the weather system. He directed to raise the level of readiness, activate emergency committees in the districts, and enhance coordination between military and security units and relevant authorities.

The meeting listened to a briefing from the First Undersecretary of the governorate, Mukhtar bin Owaidh Al-Jaafari, on the latest weather updates and forecasts regarding the arrival time of the rains, emphasizing the need to monitor the low-pressure system's developments and potential changes in its path.

The directives included taking measures to protect citizens and their property, preparing shelters, and raising the readiness of service institutions to ensure the continuity of essential services, in addition to protecting electronic devices and solar power systems from potential damage.

In the agricultural sector, the governorate's Agriculture and Irrigation Office warned farmers and livestock breeders about the effects of the low-pressure system in the coming days. It recommended moving sheep, camels, and cattle to high and safe places, providing dry fodder for at least five days, and cleaning and opening water drainage channels around farms to facilitate rainwater runoff.

The General Authority for Fisheries also called on fishermen and seafarers to refrain from sailing starting from Thursday until the effects of the weather system end, warning of rough seas and high waves.

The authority urged the directors of fish landing centers and heads of fishing associations in coastal districts to educate fishermen about the potential risks, move their boats and fishing gear from low-lying areas, and take necessary precautions during the period the governorate is affected by the low-pressure system.

In the transport sector, the head of the General Authority for Regulating Land Transport Affairs, Faris Sha'afal, directed the authority's branch in Mahra to raise its utmost readiness and coordinate with the local authority and the emergency committee to protect transport facilities and ensure the safety of travelers and vehicles on international roads.

Sha'afal stressed the need to prepare field teams for rapid response, monitor weather bulletins, and communicate with public transport companies to organize or postpone trips when necessary.

On the infrastructure front, the administration of Al-Ghaydah International Airport carried out maintenance and preventive measures to mitigate potential rain damage. 

Airport Director Musab Saleh bin Haimad said the work, which began a week ago, includes leveling the infrastructure, opening channels and drains for rainwater, and maintaining and repairing roofs and floors to prevent water from leaking into buildings and technical equipment, thereby maintaining the airport's operational readiness.

Hadhramaut: Emergency Preparations and Inter-Agency Coordination

In Hadhramaut, member of the Presidential Leadership Council and Governor of the governorate, Salem Ahmed Al-Khanbashi, directed to raise the level of preparedness and take precautionary measures to face the repercussions of the low-pressure system expected to affect the governorate.

The directives came during an expanded meeting in the city of Mukalla, with the participation of military and security leaders, officials from executive and service offices, and the districts of coastal Hadhramaut, to discuss plans for dealing with the weather situation.

The meeting reviewed a report by the Director of the Early Warning Center, Abdulrahman Humaid, on the updates of the tropical situation, the areas expected to be affected, the path and development of the low-pressure system, along with the necessary guidelines to mitigate potential risks.

Participants also discussed the readiness of operations rooms in the districts, health preparations, available capabilities, and urgent needs, as well as ways to coordinate with civil society organizations and volunteer teams to ensure a rapid response to any emergency and protect lives and property.

Al-Khanbashi stressed the importance of intensifying coordination between relevant authorities and raising the level of preparedness to face the potential repercussions of the weather situation.

Socotra: School Suspension and Shelter Preparation

In the Socotra archipelago, an extraordinary meeting chaired by the First Undersecretary of the governorate, Raed Mohammed Al-Jribi, approved a package of precautionary measures to face the low-pressure system, which included forming an emergency committee and a joint operations room to monitor the weather developments.

The meeting decided to suspend studies in schools, universities, and institutes on Wednesday and Thursday, prepare shelters in the districts of Hadibu and Qalansiyah, and raise security and military readiness to carry out rescue and evacuation operations when needed.

The measures also included prohibiting fishermen from sailing until further notice, intensifying warnings and awareness among the population, monitoring the situation of tourist groups and working to ensure their safety, and enhancing coordination among competent authorities to respond to any emergency.

The meeting called on citizens to exercise caution, stay away from flood paths and valleys, avoid travel except for extreme necessity, and adhere to the guidance of the competent authorities.

Precautionary Measures to Face Potential Risks

The measures announced in Mahra, Hadhramaut, and Socotra reflect a synchronized government effort to deal with the developing weather situation by raising the readiness of emergency and service agencies, preparing shelters, securing roads and vital facilities, and warning against sailing amid expected rough seas.

The preparations cover multiple sectors, from agriculture and livestock to land transport, airports, and fisheries, in parallel with monitoring the developments and potential path of the low-pressure system.

With forecasts continuing to predict the extension of the moist air mass's effects to other areas in the coming days, the importance of adhering to preventive guidelines and monitoring weather bulletins is highlighted, especially in mountainous areas, valleys, and areas prone to rainwater and flood accumulation.