Yemen - Tropical Cyclones CHAPALA and MEGH-15

Mon, 09 Nov 2015 05:10:00 +01:00

Eight people have been confirmed dead as a result of the cyclone Chapala. At least 2 000 families are reportedly displaced in Socotra, 2 400 in Hadramaut, 2 000 in Shabwa, and 160 in Abyan. Humanitarian partners’ assessments are being hampered by infrastructure damaged by previous conflicts and the cyclone.
In the morning of 8 November, a second cyclone, MEGH-15, passed over Socotra island with maximum sustained wind speed of 190-200 km/h and heavy rainfall, triggering flash floods and landslides. According to the Yemeni Minister of Fishing, at least one person died and homes have reportedly collapsed with massive damage to the island. The Cyclone will continue affecting Socotra with rainfall and strong winds on 9 November, according to the national meteorological service.
On 9 November, at 0.00 UTC, MEGH's centre was located over water, 50 km north of the coastal town of Bereeda in north-eastern Puntland in Somalia. It weakened with a maximum sustained wind speed of 167 km/h. Over the next 24 h, this very severe cyclonic storm will gradually turn north-west over the Gulf of Aden, weakening further. It will approach the coast of Abyan governorate in Yemen in the morning of 10 November and may make landfall near the town of Shuqrah with intensity equivalent to a Tropical Storm.