The torrential rains and floods that killed three young siblings earlier this week may have claimed two more members of the same family, local authorities in Marib governorate told Almasdar Online. The three children were reported dead Tuesday after being swept away by flooding in the Al-Suwayda camp for internally displaced persons (IDP). Their mother and a fourth sibling were reported missing along with three others, according to local authorities. 

Accompanied by strong winds and hail, the heavy rains flooded a number of valleys and injured nearly 100 people.

Marib Deputy Gov. Abdrabbuh Miftah told Almasdar Online that at least 17 camps for displaced people in the governorate have been damaged, with Al-Suwayda suffering the most extensive damage.

On Wednesday, Marib Gov. Sultan Al-Arada ordered displaced persons to be housed in hotels until the heavy rains pass and their tents and camps are repaired. 

Local organizations and activists on social media have launched an urgent appeal for interventions and measures to protect the country’s IDPs. 

The flooding has caused extensive damage to homes and buildings near the airport and in the northern parts of Marib city, specifically in the neighborhoods of Al-Mojamma’a, Al-Rawdha and Al-Syana. 

In Sana’a, floods left two people dead on Monday. 

The National Meteorological Center predicted continued heavy rains, warning that the coming storms could be more intense than this week’s. 

Local Administration Minister and Chairman of the High Committee for Relief Abdul Raqeeb Fateh directed local authorities in Marib to form a rescue and emergency committee to protect those affected by floods in the governorate.

Fateh called on international organizations working in the governorate to support these efforts.

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Editing by Ahlam Mohsen and Casey Coombs