Climate Disaster Response in.....

The eastern regions of the Hadramout Governorate, specifically the Ar Raydah Wa Qusay'ir District, are currently witnessing acute geomorphological and climatic shifts. these changes have placed local communities in direct confrontation with existential threats, primarily in the form of torrential flash floods. The case study of the "Muhaynim" area serves as a stark illustration of the complex nexus between the fragility of traditional infrastructure and the evolving patterns of tropical conditions in the Arabian Sea. The resulting mass displacement is actively reshaping the demographic and social landscape of the region.

This report focuses on analyzing the hydrological and social dimensions surrounding the collapse of the "Earthen Barrier" (Soil Dyke) protecting the villages of Muhaynim, Al-Manazih, and Harat Al-Saylah that 2150 HHs live. This structural failure occurred on the night of March 28, 2026, following a succession of low-pressure systems that culminated in late March.

• Geographical Context of the Muhaynim and Qusay’ir Region

The Ar Raydah Wa Qusay’ir District is characterized as a coastal region with a rugged mountainous hinterland, featuring major valleys (Wadis) that drain into the Arabian Sea. The village of Muhaynim, located within the Qusay’ir sub-district of Hadramout, is strategically positioned at the confluence of flood paths descending from the Eastern Plateau. According to local sources, the combined population of Muhaynim, Al-Manazih, and Harat Al-Saylah consists of approximately 2,150 families within the Qusay’ir enclave.

Historically, the natural protection of this area has relied on what is locally known as the "Som" (Earthen Barrier/Dyke). This is a traditional engineering structure designed to divert torrents away from residential clusters and toward agricultural lands.

The region’s topography—a mix of towering mountains and flat basin valleys—creates an ideal environment for the formation of "flash floods." During periods of intense precipitation, such as the historic 2008 floods and Cyclone Tej in 2023, these valleys transform into massive hydraulic channels. The velocity and pressure of these flows often exceed the structural capacity of traditional earthen barriers. Technical analysis indicates that water levels in certain channels can surpass 10 meters, subjecting these barriers to hydraulic pressures that are unsustainable without concrete reinforcement or intensive periodic maintenance.

Key Geographical and Environmental Factors:

• Topographic Gradient: A steep descent from the plateau toward the coast, which significantly accelerates water flow velocity.
• Soil Composition: Alluvial and fragile soil structures that increase the risk of hydraulic scouring (erosion) against earthen barriers.
• Dominant Climate: A dry tropical climate punctuated by violent weather events, including cyclones and deep low-pressure systems.
• Vegetation Cover: The widespread growth of "Sesbania" (Prosopis juliflora) shrubs, which obstruct natural flood courses and increase lateral water pressure against the banks.

• The Low-Pressure System and the Collapse of the Earthen Barrier in Muhaynim Village

According to a local source in Qusay’ir reporting to the Atyaf Center for Studies:

"A low-pressure system occurred, bringing scattered rainfall for several days. However, the night of Saturday, March 28, 2026, saw the heaviest precipitation, causing major valleys to overflow due to torrential rains that lasted for hours. These areas are situated adjacent to the flood course of the Wadi, which was previously flanked by a wire-mesh stone gabion wall. This wall collapsed during Cyclone Tej years ago and was subsequently given only superficial repairs; the thick base of the dam was merely backfilled with ordinary soil. Despite repeated appeals from residents warning that soil alone could not withstand floods threatening their homes, no genuine engineering solution was implemented. Last night, the disaster struck as floodwaters breached these areas along the banks of the Wadi."

The earthen barrier in Muhaynim represents the primary line of defense for thousands of homes. During Cyclone Tej in October 2023, this barrier suffered a strategic breach due to unprecedented wind speeds and rainfall intensity. The collapse was not merely a minor fissure but a wide breach that allowed the Wadi’s waters to directly inundate residential areas. This type of structural failure follows a "saturation-then-scouring" mechanism: the soil composing the barrier becomes saturated until it loses cohesion, at which point the kinetic energy of the floodwaters sweeps away sections of the barrier. Consequently, the structure transforms from a means of protection into a hazard that channels water with increased force toward the dwellings.

Impact on Residents and Displaced Populations

The breach led to the total or partial flooding of homes in Muhaynim, resulting in the complete collapse of several structures—particularly those built from traditional materials lacking resistance to prolonged moisture or hydraulic pressure. Amer Al-Say’ar, a field researcher for the Atyaf Center for Studies, confirmed diverse damages: some houses suffered minor structural cracks, while sewage systems were buried or collapsed. Residents also reported the loss of livestock and varying degrees of property damage.

Regarding the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), the source noted that approximately 151 families living in tents and makeshift huts faced total devastation, as their shelters were swept away or collapsed. This group remains the most vulnerable.

"Approximately 70 displaced families are in this specific area. As for the marginalized (Muhamasheen) families, they were evacuated to schools on the night of the flood and are now attempting to return to their tents. Displacement has shifted toward Upper Muhaynim (Al-Tali’iyah) and the Qusay’ir neighborhoods of Abu Ubida and Ma’bar, as well as other adjacent areas."

• Regional Escalation and Infrastructure Failure (March 2026)

Initial responses to the 2023 crisis were driven by community initiatives supported by the Hadramout Tribal Alliance (HTA), which plugged the breach in November 2023 as an emergency measure. However, the earthen nature of these repairs meant they remained susceptible to every new weather event.

In March 2026, Hadramout and Al-Mahrah were hit by a deep low-pressure system. In the Ar Raydah Wa Qusay’ir District, the crisis peaked in the early hours of Wednesday, March 25, 2026, when unprecedented floods isolated four vital areas: Asad al-Jabal, Shakhawi, Badash, and Raghadun. While Muhaynim benefited slightly from previous barrier repairs, the sheer volume of water put the structure under an extreme stress test, forcing families from the neighboring "Al-Manazih" area to flee as water entered their homes.

These floods resulted in:

• International Route Closure: The highway connecting Yemen and Oman was cut off.
• Bridge Damage: Vital bridges, such as Sarar and Bashar, sustained heavy damage.
• Logistical Paralysis: The flow of food and fuel supplies halted, leaving citizens stranded without immediate aid.

Impact on Military Installations

Military forces stationed near the borders were not immune. During the final week of March 2026, flash floods overran a government forces camp in the Al-Wade'ah area and parts of the Hadramout coast. Widely circulated in local media, reports indicated significant human and material losses as floods swept away soldiers' tents and destroyed military vehicles. These events raise serious concerns regarding the engineering of military outposts and the apparent lack of hydrological standards in site selection, leaving personnel and equipment highly vulnerable to natural elements.

. The Tragedy of Mass Displacement: Humanitarian and Socio-Economic Dimensions

Displacement in Muhaynim is inextricably linked to the failure of protection systems. When the earthen barrier collapses, residents are left with no choice but immediate evacuation and mass flight toward the highlands or safer areas in the district center. This displacement is not a coordinated process; rather, it is a forced escape under the pressure of sudden flooding, leading to the loss of personal property, official documents, and life savings.

The inhabitants of Muhaynim suffer from what can be termed "Cyclical Displacement." With every weather warning—as seen on March 28, 2026—families begin vacating their homes in anticipation of a barrier breach or valley overflow. Living under constant threat induces profound psychological impacts, including chronic anxiety and a lost sense of spatial security. Furthermore, mass displacement strains already scarce services in host areas, where schools and mosques are converted into temporary shelters lacking the basic necessities for a dignified life.

Economic Impact and the Collapse of Livelihoods

A local source informed the Atyaf Center that the most urgent aid requirements include:

"Repairing the earthen dam as quickly as possible, as it is currently destroyed and any subsequent flooding will worsen the situation. We need assistance for house repairs and drainage systems, as well as shelter aid such as mattresses, given that many families have lost all their belongings."

The vast majority of residents in Ar Raydah and Qusay’ir depend on agriculture, livestock, and fishing. The torrential surges following barrier failures do not merely destroy homes; they strip away fertile topsoil and replace it with stones and silt, rendering land uncultivable for years. Economic data from similar cases in Hadramout indicate that floods lead to:

• Surging Poverty Rates: Poverty in flood-affected areas has jumped from 28% to 51% due to the loss of productive assets.
• Destruction of Rural Infrastructure: This includes traditional irrigation channels, wells, and agricultural roads connecting villages to markets.
• Loss of Livestock: The sweeping away of livestock represents the loss of the only liquid capital for many displaced families.

• Climate Change as a Disaster Driver in Eastern Yemen

The Muhaynim crisis is part of a broader context of global climate change impacting Yemen’s fragile regions. International reports identify Yemen as an open arena for extreme weather events, where climate change acts as a "risk multiplier" amidst ongoing conflict and weakened state capacity to provide services.

Key Features of this Climatic Shift:

• Loss of Predictability: Farmers can no longer rely on traditional seasonal calendars; floods now occur at unusual times with a destructive intensity that exceeds the capacity of the Wadis.
• Increased Cyclonic Frequency: The Arabian Sea has transitioned from a rare cyclone zone to a hub for frequent tropical events (e.g., Chapala, Mekunu, Tej), keeping eastern coasts in a state of permanent alert.
• Torrential Extremes vs. Drought: Sharp fluctuations between prolonged drought and flash flooding lead to soil erosion and the destruction of traditional ecosystems.

• Funding Gaps and Institutional Weakness

The Muhaynim barrier collapse reveals structural flaws in disaster management. While the 2008 floods required over $1 billion for reconstruction, investments in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) remain limited and seasonal.

The community in Qusay’ir, and similar regions, suffers from:

• Lack of Sustainable Solutions: Reliance on temporary "earthen" fixes rather than reinforced concrete dams and drainage channels based on precise engineering.
• Local Authority Inertia: Residents noted slow official responses in damage assessment or emergency relief, forcing them to rely on self-help and tribal/community initiatives.
• Infrastructure Deficits: Major streets in cities like Ash Shihr and Qusay’ir fill with floodwaters to significant heights, obstructing rescue and supply efforts.

• Future Recommendations

The tragedy in Muhaynim necessitates a paradigm shift in crisis management. Deep atmospheric lows cannot be confronted with decades-old traditional tools.

I. Research and Root Cause Analysis

Atyaf Center conducts in-depth studies via experts to identify root causes and propose sustainable solutions. Most disaster-zone interventions fail because they lack reliable technical studies—as seen with the Muhaynim earthen dam. Experts recommend that stakeholders prioritize comprehensive technical studies to ensure project sustainability.

II. Engineering and Construction Solutions

• Concrete Dam Construction: Transition the "Som" (earthen barrier) into a reinforced concrete dam designed to modern hydraulic standards to absorb kinetic energy and safely divert water toward the sea or reservoirs.
• Watercourse Clearing: Remove "Sesbania" shrubs and accumulated debris that obstruct natural channels and cause lateral flooding.
• Protection of Vital Facilities: Build deflectors and retaining walls for schools, military camps, and hospitals in high-risk zones.

III. Public Policy and Community Management

• Activate Early Warning Systems: Link the Early Warning Center to a local communication network (mosques, SMS, local councils) to ensure alerts reach every individual at least 48 hours before a disaster.
• Zoning Regulations: Enforce urban planning laws to prevent construction in flood paths and provide safe housing alternatives for high-risk families.
• Victim Support Fund: Establish a local disaster relief fund for Hadramout, supported by the private sector (oil and trade companies), to finance rapid infrastructure repairs.

Conclusion

The village of Muhaynim stands as a living testament to the struggle between humanity and nature. The collapse of the earthen barrier was not an isolated incident but an alarm bell: climate change does not wait for administrative delays. Mass displacement and the uprooting of military outposts tear the social fabric and create long-term economic and security burdens. Investing in accurate research, early warning, and resilience building is the only path to ensure the survival of communities in Yemen against the coming storms. This is a moral and national duty that rests upon all stakeholders.