In Pictures

In Pictures: Flash floods sweep through Yemeni capital

Heavy rains began on Monday evening and continued overnight, causing dangerously high water levels in some areas.

Yemenis collect some materials washed away by the torrents following heavy rains in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, on April 14, 2020. (Photo by MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP) — A man collects some goods washed away by the torrents following heavy rains in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. [Mohammed Huwais/AFP]

A clean-up began in Yemen’s rebel-held capital of Sanaa on Tuesday after floodwaters swept through parts of the city, overturning cars and damaging shops.

Heavy rains began on Monday evening and continued overnight, causing dangerously high water levels in some areas, though there were no reports of casualties.

Sanaa, in the country’s mountainous north, is prone to flash floods.

The floods can wreak havoc on the country’s infrastructure, which is already damaged by more than five years of civil war between the Houthi rebels, in the country’s north, and the internationally recognised government based in the south.

The flood could also mean dangers for the country’s sanitation system, which is already minimal.

Yemen has had one of the world’s largest cholera outbreaks in recent memory and health officials have dreaded the novel coronavirus’s eventual appearance in the country.

The crowds at the damaged marketplace show how little equipped the country – the Arab world’s poorest – could be if the coronavirus spreads there.

Five years of air offensive by a Saudi-led alliance and ground fighting have destroyed or closed more than half of its health facilities.

Extreme poverty, dire water shortages and a lack of adequate sanitation have made the country a breeding ground for the COVID-19 pandemic.

People walk on a damaged street at an area flooded by heavy rains in Sanaa, Yemen April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY — People walk on a damaged street in an area flooded by heavy rains in Sanaa. [Khaled Abdullah/Reuters]

epa08362734 A Yemeni child walks through a muddy street following heavy rains in Sanaa, Yemen, 14 April 2020. According to reports, at least two Yemenis have been died in a flash flood triggered by he — There were no reports of casualties after floodwaters swept through parts of Sanaa. [Yahya Arhab/EPA]

epa08362675 A small bulldozer removes mud from a street following heavy rains in Sanaa, Yemen, 14 April 2020. According to reports, at least two Yemenis have been died in a flash flood triggered by he — A small bulldozer removes mud from a street. [Yahya Arhab/EPA]

Yemenis salvage items washed away by the torrent following heavy rains in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, on April 14, 2020. (Photo by Mohammed HUWAIS / AFP) — Floodwaters overturned cars and damaged shops and market stalls. [Mohammed Huwais/AFP]

Yemenis collect goods washed up by the torrent following heavy rains in the capital Sanaa, on April 14, 2020. (Photo by MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP) — Shopkeepers and stall owners came out to survey the damage and try to clean up. [Mohammed Huwais/AFP]

Yemenis salvage goods from a damaged vendor stall, flooded with mud following heavy rains in the capital Sanaa, on April 14, 2020. (Photo by Mohammed HUWAIS / AFP) — Shopkeepers salvage goods from a damaged stall flooded with mud following the heavy rains. [Mohammed Huwais/AFP]

epa08362680 Yemenis walk through a flooded street following heavy rains in Sanaa, Yemen, 14 April 2020. According to reports, at least two Yemenis have been died in a flash flood triggered by heavy ra — The floods can wreak havoc on the country's infrastructure, which is already damaged by more than five years of civil war. [Yahya Arhab/EPA]