Tropical Cyclone Mekunu - May 2018
OngoingOverview
A new tropical storm has developed in the southwest Arabian Sea where it intensified yesterday evening into Cyclone Mekunu. The cyclone is moving currently north-northwest at a speed of 11 km/h. Mekunu is expected to continue moving in this direction during the remainder of this week and make landfall near Salalah, Oman on about Saturday 26 May. A major fluctuation in tropical weather over the southern Arabian Sea known as the Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO) is likely to cause Mekunu to strengthen further. As a result, heavy rains are forecasted for Socotra Island, followed by the southern Arabian coast from Sayhut in eastern Yemen to Salalah and Ash Shuwaymiyyah in southern Oman, which could cause local flooding and damage. (FAO, 23 May 2018)
The impact of cyclone ‘Mekunu’ on Yemen’s eastern mainland, after it had made landfall in the Sultanate of Oman on 26 May, has been limited. Minor damage has been reported to infrastructure in the districts of Hawf and Shahan of Al Maharah Governorate. Two ships reportedly sank in Al Gaydah and the cycolone damaged agricultural equipment. Meanwhile, assessments and relief efforts continue on the island of Socotra. On 27 May, [IFRC] reported that seven people have died and eight are still missing due to the cyclone...Local authorities and the Displacement Tracking Team led by the International Organization for Migration (DTM/IOM) have reported a total of 507 families being displaced in Hadibo and Qalansiyah. Communities living in Badahola have evacuated their areas as reportedly they have been surrounded by flood water. The majority of the affected population (90 per cent) are hosted in schools, with the rest staying in other government buildings...An inter-cluster assessment team is expected to travel to Socotra on 29 May with the support of UNHAS. (OCHA, 28 May 2018)
An inter-cluster mission led by OCHA visited Socotra from 29 May to 4 June to assess humanitarian needs in the aftermath of cyclone “Mekunu”. Steroh, Badhola and Zahiq, in the area of Nowgd (located on the southern part of the island) are the locations most affected by the cyclone which the team was able to visit. It is estimated that in these areas 90 per cent of the population are in urgent need of food, non-food items and WASH assistance. Local authorities have warned of an imminent hunger crisis, if no resources are mobilized, as approximately 90 per cent of the population in the assessed areas lost their food stocks to the cyclone and are unable to sustain themselves. (OCHA, 07 Jun 2018)
Useful Links
Most read (last 30 days)
SUMMARY
UNITAR – UNOSAT has performed a rapid satellite based analysis and assessment to illustrate the impact in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Mekunu-18 over Abd al Kuri Island, Socotra Governorate, Yemen using Pleiades image acquired on 04 June 2018.
Main findings
Analyses of main settlements of Abd al Kuri island did not show extensive damage as of 04 June 2018,
Four populated locations were analyzed but none of them seems to present evidences of damage,
No major landslides observed,
KEY FIGURES
22.2M People in need 2M IDPs
89% of IDPs displaced for more than a year
956K IDP returnees
CRIs 1M recipients of CRIs since March 2015
279K refugees and asylum seekers
$198.7M requested in 2018
$108.6M received as of June 2018
55% funded
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
Kuwait, June 13 (BNA): Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) Secretary General Maha Al-Barjas said that volunteer teams are spread in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Yemen, the Philippines, Lebanon, Pakistan and Bangladesh to help those affected by natural or man-made disasters.
In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Al-Barjas said that KRCS intensified its efforts and support during the holy month of Ramadan for those affected and needy to alleviate their suffering.
She stressed the importance of highlighting the pioneering role of Kuwait in the humanitarian field.
In response to the Cyclone Makunu that hit the Socotra Governorate in Yemen from 23 to 25 May 2018, the WFPled Logistics Cluster coordinated airlifts of humanitarian cargo from Aden to Socotra with the aircraft normally prepositioned in Djibouti to carry out airlifts to Sana’a. The aircraft moved from Djibouti to Aden on 29 May, and one Logistics Cluster staff was deployed to Aden as well to implement the response.
Norway will provide a further NOK 30 million to alleviate the situation in Somalia. The funds will be channelled through the Somalia Humanitarian Fund, which is administered by the UN, and through Save the Children Norway and Norwegian Church Aid.
'Over the last year, Somalia has been severely affected by drought. Now, the population has been hit by flash floods and river flooding. The authorities and humanitarian actors are doing their best to respond to the situation. It is important that Norway also does its part,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.
West Africa remains dry, while heavy rain is forecast over Kenya
Africa Weather Hazards
Poorly-distributed rain since late February has resulted in abnormal dryness across central and northeastern Ethiopia.
A slow onset to seasonal rainfall across the southern Gulf of Guinea countries has led to strengthening moisture deficits throughout the region.
Delays in seasonal rainfall across the southern Gulf of Guinea countries has led to strengthening moisture deficits throughout the region.
HIGHLIGHTS
Conflict intensifies in Al Hudaydah Governorate; humanitarian actors prepare for additional displacement
First containerized vessel delivers supplies to Al Hudaydah Port since November 2017 port closures
Health actors launch cholera and diphtheria vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Read the full newsletter here >>
Summary Feb – May 2018
This report is produced by OCHA in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It was issued by the OCHA Yemen office. The next report will be issued when additional information on the emergency becomes available.
I. KEY HIGHLIGHTS
• The people of Socotra might be at risk of increased hunger unless immediate resources are mobilized.
• Access to shelter, non-food items and drinking water are critical priorities as supplies are either not available in the market or not affordable to most people.
KEY ISSUES:
• The inter-cluster assessment team completes its mission to Nowgd area in Socotra
• The humanitarian community prepares for a possible increase in displacement along the western coast
• The number of vessels that discharged cargo at Red Sea Ports has increased by 55 per cent in May compared to previous month
THE RESPONSE TO CYCLONE “MEKUNU” CONTINUES IN SOCOTRA
5 June 2018 – Within a week, 2 record-setting tropical cyclones that formed in the Gulf of Aden made landfall, wreaking widespread havoc in Somalia, Oman and Yemen. The World Health Organization is supporting direct response efforts in Somalia and Yemen, while Oman relies on its preparedness developed in partnership with WHO.
SUMMARY
UNITAR – UNOSAT has performed a rapid satellite based analysis and assessment to illustrate the impact in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Mekunu-18 over Samha Island, Socotra Governorate, Yemen using a Pleiades image acquired on 04 June 2018.
Main findings
• Analyses of main settlement of Samha island did not show extensive damage as of 04 June 2018,
• About 50 Structures were identified on the image and few of them were identified having potential minor damage,
Sana’a, Yemen – IOM, the UN Migration Agency, is supporting the island of Socotra after it was devastated by Cyclone Mekunu on 23 May. Working with inter-cluster partners and local authorities on the ground, IOM has determined the most urgent needs to be food and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).
Continued port functioning critical as increased conflict continues in Al Hudaydah
Key Messages
This bulletin is for information only and reflects the current situation and details available at this time.
The Situation
Tropical cyclone Mekunu (22 - 27 May) has caused human casualties and loss of property in Socotra and Al Maharah governorates.
I. Socotra: Now the situation in Socotra is in the phase of Rescue, Search and Response. The weather is calm. On 26 May, the airport and the port of Socotra resumed functioning. Authorities and several humanitarian organizations continue to monitor and respond to the situation.
Tropical Cyclone Mekunu hits Yemen and Oman, while West Africa records mixed rainfall
Africa Weather Hazards
Insufficient rain since January has resulted in large moisture deficits and below-average vegetation conditions over portions of northwestern Angola.
Poorly-distributed rain since late February has resulted in abnormal dryness across central and northeastern Ethiopia.
Saudi Reconstruction Program in Yemen has announced the opening of the first office in the island of Socotra and the program’s beginning to alleviate the humanitarian conditions in the area. Not only is the Program moving people away from the tents and makeshift stone houses into suitable housing, it is also implementing infrastructure projects including roads, electricity, water and sanitation. The Program is also working on providing basic services, such as health and education, and is supporting those working in fishery, agriculture, and livestock.
Kuwait, May 30 (BNA): Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) announced dispatch of the first planeload of relief supplies to the people of Socotra Island, recently hit by a fierce storm.
Dr Abdulmunim bin Mansour al Hasani, Minister of Information, on Wednesday met editors-in-chief of local newspapers and DGs of the private radio and TV stations. During the meeting, the minister praised the print, audio, visual and electronic media for facing challenges during the coverages of Cyclone Mekunu that hit the governorates of Dhofar and Al Wusta. He appreciated the role of journalists, especially those who have been in the field, and praised the role played by the media in providing accurate information.
Situation Overview
Almost a week after Cyclone “Mekunu” flooded the island of Socotra and parts of Yemen’s eastern mainland, initial indications are that food and WASH assistance remain critical priority needs. A UNOSAT rapid satellite assessment of the impact over Qalansiyah city shows that some areas along the wadis may be flooded and some roads potentially affected by water and mud as of 27 May.
