[02/July/2009]

SANA'A, July 02 (Saba) – President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Thursday called on the Yemeni people across the republic to perform prayers for rain.

Saleh's plea comes as summer is going on without rain. Summer is the season known for fall of rain in Yemen and when the public grow various crops.

Early this year, heavy rains lashed many parts of the republic, claiming lives and leaving hectares of land under water.

Last year, Yemen experienced a rain tragedy in which more than 90 people were killed and more than 2000 houses destroyed in several parts of the republic.

Thousands of hectares were devastated, with the authorities estimating losses at more than $ 1 billion.

FR
Saba