Heavy floods in Yemen due to heavy rains led to the collapse of three dams in the north-western province of al-Mahwit, killing several people and leaving at least 30 missing.

The residents in the areas told reporters on Wednesday.

They could not confirm the casualty toll.

Many families remained under the rubble in the Malhan district.

Cars were swept away and roads have been cut off, they added.

The collapsing dams caused mountain rockslides, affecting people and houses in the province, located near the capital Sana’a.

The province is controlled by the Houthi rebels, who took control of large parts of Yemen in 2014.

The Houthi-affiliated al-Masirah TV reported that several ambulances from neighbouring areas in al-Mahwit as well as Hodeida province were sent to assist.

Heavy rains and floods have been hitting Yemen for weeks, causing destruction and displacement in several provinces, and exacerbating an already dire situation in the war-torn country.

The Yemen Red Crescent Society said that more than 340,000 people have been directly affected by the heavy rains and flooding nationwide.

Two weeks ago, the UN said that at least 60 people were killed in several provinces.

Yemen has been embroiled in a disastrous power struggle since 2014 between government forces, supported by a Saudi Arabia-led coalition, and the Iran-linked Houthi rebels.

The war has taken a heavy toll on the infrastructure in the already impoverished country and the UN considers Yemen one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world.

Floods hit the country almost annually, leaving many dead or displaced.

Although conflict declined over the past two years, no sustainable political settlement has been reached.

U.S. President Joe Biden has sharply criticised the 16-year sentence for U.S reporter Evan Gershkovich, imposed on Friday by a Russian court.

According to the president, Gershkovich was targeted by Russia “because he is a journalist and an American.”

Biden, in a statement released by the White House, said the reporter had “committed no crime.”

He added that the U.S. government will continue to fight for the Wall Street Journal reporter’s release as well as for all U.S. citizens unlawfully detained abroad.

“Journalism is not a crime,” Biden said, adding that both he and the United Nations have said that Russia is wrongfully detaining the reporter.

“We will continue to stand strong for press freedom in Russia and worldwide, and stand against all those who seek to attack the press or target journalists,” the U.S. president added.

(dpa/NAN)

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday tendered her resignation as secretary of the Department of Education, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil said.

In a statement, Garafil said Duterte tendered her resignation as a member of the Cabinet during a visit to the presidential palace on Wednesday afternoon.

“She declined to give a reason. She will continue to serve as vice president.

“We thank her for her service,’’ Garafil said.

Garafil told reporters that Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos has accepted Duterte’s resignation.

(Xinhua/NAN)