Cyclone Mekunu hit Socotra , causes losses in lives and materials

YemenExtra

Y.A

Cyclone Mekunu hit  Socotra ,Wednesday night, causing severe flooding and damage to houses.

 Scores of houses were also destroyed due to the cyclone, as dozens of cars were drenched by rain and traffic was completely stopped.

The sources added that rainwater surrounded houses and flooded entire villages and neighborhoods.

The storm also caused a number of ships to sink in the port of Socotra as a result of high winds and a low air that caused heavy rainfall.

Sources said that over 150 families were evacuated from two areas of the island, and sheltered them in government schools and facilities.

People were seen fleeing through flooded streets, often carrying children.

Socrotra is currently embroiled in another kind of storm, as tensions between the fugitive former Yemeni government , loyal to Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates over the presence of Emirati troops on the island recently reached a head.

Facing accusations of colonial designs, the UAE, which fights in the Saudi-led coalition, began last week to pull its troops out of Socotra. Saudi forces are expected to take their place as part of the agreement.

Prior to the dispute between the UAE forces and Ben Dagher government, loyal to Saudi Arabia, on the controlling of Socotra island, Ben Dagher government complained officially to the Security Council, where it acknowledged the presence of the Emirates on Socotra as unjustified.

The UAE replied to the complaint by a letter to the Security Council, which revealed that it has been in Socotra since 2012 with the consent of the fugitive President Hadi and his government.

The Socotra archipelago is witnessing heavy rains accompanied by strong winds amid warnings from local authorities to take care of the Cyclone Mekunu.