SANAA, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least 25 people were killed after flash floods hit Yemen's northwestern province of Al-Mahwit, a local health source reported on Wednesday.

The flash floods in Al-Mahwit, triggered by over 24 hours of heavy rain, caused the collapse of three dams and swept away dozens of houses in the Malhan district on Tuesday. Rescue operations are underway as several villagers are still missing, said the source.

Earlier this month, heavy rains and flash floods in the northern provinces of Hodeidah and Hajjah claimed 45 lives and damaged over 12,000 homes, according to local health authorities.

The WHO has expressed concern about the potential spread of diseases due to contaminated water and poor sanitation during the rainy season in the conflict-ridden country.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Houthi group seized several northern provinces, forcing the Yemeni government to flee the capital, Sanaa. Enditem

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