almotamar.net - President Ali Abdullah Saleh confirmed Saturday the state shoulders its responsibility for the facing of the disaster of torrents that swept the governorates of Hadramout and Mahara due to the heavy rainfall on them in the two past days and claimed lives of 41 persons and the missing of 31 persons in addition to destruction of 1700.

In a statement to the media on Saturday the President said,� The state bears its responsibility for facing the consequences of this catastrophe and highly appreciates any one that contributed with us. We have not asked but who wanted to contribute we are grateful to him, whether it is individually or organizations or states as this is a human disaster.�

The President added the damage is great and the rainfall began from last Tuesday and according to information coming �us there are about 1700 houses destroyed or damaged in each of Hadramout and Mahara and there is great damage caused to roads and bridges and travel on roads became cut in both districts if the Hadramout Valley or districts of the coast.�

The President added the government will spare no effort in tee operations of rescue, shelter and relief �and we are confident that the private sector would participate in supporting efforts of the government in this respect,� clarifying that a number of Yemeni expatriates are communicating with the government and expressing their readiness to cooperate with their brothers who are affected because of the rainfall torrents that fell on Hadramout and Mahara.

President Saleh affirmed that the first stage is delivering the humans and employing all capabilities for that adding that helicopters are playing a major role in this regard and priority is being given to the operation of providing shelters and foodstuffs and medicines.

The President pointed out that this stage would be finished as soon to transfer to the stage of determining the human losses and the material damage caused by the disaster. He said there is a team for field follow-up by the local authorities or the central authority for repairing damage and reconstruction especially the roads and bridges.

President Saleh arrived in the city of Seyoun as part of his inspection tour of the governorate of Hadramout and Mahara and for direct supervision on works of relief and shelter of the affected citizens there.