In November 2015, Yemen’s World Heritage-listed Socotra Archipelago was hit by two rare cyclones within eight days, with drastic effects on the local population as well as its land and marine ecosystems. An expert on the ground was able to document the damage in the World Heritage site during and immediately after these extreme weather events for IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature.

1. Cyclones impacts in Socotra
Archipelago,Yemen
Photo gallery

2. In November 2015, two rare cyclones hit Yemen’s World Heritage
listed Socotra Archipelago within eight days.

3. Such intense storms are extremely rare in this region of the Indian
Ocean in the Arabian Sea.

4. The two cyclones, Chapala and Megh, completely demolished 1,500
houses and damaged a further 2,300 homes.

5. A total of 18 people lost their lives, while an estimated 200 were
injured and 4,000 were displaced.

8. The storms eroded soil and uprooted many rare plants that are only
found on Socotra, including the iconic dragon's blood tree.

11. Infrastructures such as roads, electricity and water facilities were
badly damaged or destroyed.

15. The first cyclone, Chapala, forced the evacuation of about 18,000
people – more than a third of Socotra Island’s population

17. An estimated 15,000 palm trees, which are considered a source of
income for the local population, were uprooted.

18. Soil erosion has damaged pasture areas by stripping vegetation
from the grounds and a huge number of goats perished.

19. The powerful waves generated by Chapala wreaked havoc on
Socotra's marine ecosystem, breaking parts of the coral reef.

20. Socotra's diverse marine life, including coral, coastal fish, shark and
invertebrate species, was severely affected by both cyclones.

21. Flash floods and landslides triggered by excessive rainfalls may
have further contributed to coral reef damage.