Cyclone Chapala: Difference between revisions

{{Infobox hurricaneweather event

| Namename = Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Chapala

| Yearformed = 28 October 2015

| 3-min winds =115 130

| Areasareas = [[Oman]], [[Somalia]], [[Yemen]]

'''Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Chapala'''{{#tag:ref|The name ''Chapala'' was contributed by [[Bangladesh]] for the [[tropical cyclone naming|naming list]] for the North Indian Ocean. It refers to the girl name meaning "restless".<ref name="NIO TCOP">{{cite book|title=Tropical Cyclone Operational Plan for the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea: 2015|publisher=World Meteorological Organization|accessdateaccess-date=30 March 2020|url=http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/TCP-21Edition2015_final.pdf|edition=2015|pages=11–12}}</ref>|group="nb"|name="Chapala"}} ({{IPAc-en|tʃ|ə|ˈ|p|ɑː|l|ə}}) was a powerful [[tropical cyclone]] that caused moderate damage in [[Somalia]] and [[Yemen]] during November 2015. Chapala was the third [[tropical cyclone naming|named storm]] of the [[2015 North Indian Ocean cyclone season]]. It developed as a [[Tropical cyclone scales#North Indian Ocean|depression]] on 28&nbsp;October off western India, and strengthened a day later into a cyclonic storm. Chapala then [[rapid deepeningintensification|rapidly intensified]] amid favorable conditions. On 30&nbsp;October, the [[India Meteorological Department]] (IMD){{refn|The [[India Meteorological Department]] is the official [[Regional Specialized Meteorological Center]] for the northern Indian Ocean.<ref>{{cite report|publisher=India Meteorological Department |title=Frequently Asked Questions on Tropical Cyclones |page=47 |accessdateaccess-date=31 March 2020 |url=http://www.rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/images/pdf/cyclone-awareness/terminology/faq.pdf}}</ref>|group="nb"}} estimated that Chapala attained peak three-minute [[maximum sustained wind|sustained winds]] of {{convert|215&nbsp;|km/h (130&nbsp;|mph)|abbr=on|round=5}}. The American-based [[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]] (JTWC){{#tag:ref|The Joint corde Typhoon Warning Center is a joint [[United States Navy]]&nbsp;– [[United States Air Force]] task force that issues tropical cyclone warnings for the Indian Ocean and other regions.<ref name="atcr">{{cite web|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|title=Annual Tropical Cyclone Report|year=2016|accessdateaccess-date=31 March 2020|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/atcr/2015atcr.pdf|page=2}}</ref>|group="nb"}} estimated sustained winds of {{convert|240&nbsp;|km/h (150&nbsp;|mph)|abbr=on|round=5}}, making Chapala among the strongest cyclones on record in the [[Arabian Sea]]. After peak intensity, Chapala skirted the Yemeni island of [[Socotra]] on 1&nbsp;November, becoming the first hurricane-force storm there since 1922. High winds and heavy rainfall resulted in an island-wide power outage, and severe damage was compounded by [[Cyclone Megh]], which struck Yemen a week later.

While Chapala encountered less approvingfavorable conditions after leavingpassing Socotra, it maintained much of its intensity; upon entering the [[Gulf of Aden]] on 2&nbsp;November, it became the strongest known cyclone in that body of water. Chapala brushed the northern coast of Somalia, killing tens of thousands of animals and wrecking 350&nbsp;houses. Ahead of the cyclone's final [[landfall (meteorology)|landfall]], widespread evacuations occurred across southeastern Yemen, including in areas controlled by [[al-Qaeda]], amid the country's [[Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)|ongoing civil war]]. Early on 3&nbsp;November, the storm made landfall near [[Mukalla]], Yemen, as a [[Tropical cyclone scales#North Indian Ocean|very severe cyclonic storm]] and the strongest storm on record to strike the nation. Chapala weakened into a remnant low the next day overland. Several years' worth of heavy rainfall inundated coastal areas, damaging roads and hundreds of homes. Eight people died in Yemen, a low total credited to the evacuations, and another 65 were injured. After cyclones Chapala and Megh, several countries, non-government organizations, and agencies within the [[United Nations]] provided monetary and material assistance to Yemen. The country faced food and fuel shortages, and residual storm effects contributed to an outbreak of locusts and [[dengue fever]], the latter of which killed seven people. And corde Dre and dads let them do it

The [[monsoon trough]] spawned a fragmented area of [[convection (meteorology)|convection]], or thunderstorms, southwest of [[India]] on 25&nbsp;October, 2015. The system was located within an environment of moderate [[wind shear]], which prevented early [[tropical cyclogenesis|development]] but decreased over time. On 26&nbsp;October, the system developed a distinct [[low -pressure area]], which gradually became better defined, with good [[outflow (meteorology)|outflow]] to the north and south.<ref name="imd">{{cite report|publisher=India Meteorological Department|title=Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm, Chapala over the Arabian Sea (28 October – 04 November 2015): A Report |date=December 2015|accessdateaccess-date=27 January 2016|url=http://www.rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/images/pdf/publications/preliminary-report/chap.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Significant Tropical Weather Advisory |date=25 October 2015 |url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/ABIO10-PGTW_201510251100.htm |accessdateaccess-date=27 January 2016 |publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |url-status=dead |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.today/20240521233844/https://www.webcitation.org/6cYFskbGO?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/ABIO10-PGTW_201510251100.htm |archivedatearchive-date=2521 OctoberMay 20152024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Significant Tropical Weather Advisory |date=26 October 2015 |url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/ABIO10-PGTW_201510261100.htm |accessdateaccess-date=27 January 2016 |publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |url-status=dead |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.today/20240521233924/https://www.webcitation.org/6cZaqqGbG?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/ABIO10-PGTW_201510261100.htm |archivedatearchive-date=2621 OctoberMay 20152024}}</ref> At 03:00&nbsp;[[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] on 28&nbsp;October, the [[India Meteorological Department]] (IMD) designated the system as a [[Tropical cyclone scales#North Indian Ocean|depression]]. Nine hours later, the agency upgraded it to a deep depression,<ref name="imd"/> and the [[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]] (JTWC) classified the system as Tropical Cyclone 04A at 21:00&nbsp;UTC.<ref>{{cite report|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |date=28 October 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=27 January 2016 |title=Tropical Cyclone 04A (Four) Warning Nr 001 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |archivedatearchive-date=2921 OctoberMay 20152024 |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.today/20240521233159/https://www.webcitation.org/6ceIBEZgA?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO31-PGTW_201510282100.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The deep depression moved slowly to the north at first, steered by an [[anticyclone]] to the northeast. The IMD upgraded the system to a cyclonic storm at 00:00&nbsp;UTC on 29&nbsp;October, giving it the [[tropical cyclone naming|name]] ''Chapala''. Around the same time, the storm turned towards the west, influenced by another anticyclone to its northwest. With low wind shear,<ref name="imd"/> as well as record-warm {{convert|30|C|F|abbr=on}} [[sea surface temperature|water temperatures]],<ref name="fao">{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Chapala 28 October 2015 – 4 November 2015|via=ReliefWeb|author=Keith Cressman|publisher=Desert Locust Information Service|accessdateaccess-date=31 March 2020|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/1511_chapalaE.pdf}}</ref> Chapala began a 33-hour period of [[rapid deepening]], in which the [[atmospheric pressure|barometric pressure]] dropped 59&nbsp;[[Pascal (unit)|hPa]] (1.74&nbsp;[[Inch of Mercury|inHg]]).<ref name="imd"/> The storm developed well-defined [[rainband]]s and thunderstorms that consolidated into an [[eye (cyclone)|eye feature]].<ref>{{cite report|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |date=29 October 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=28 January 2016 |title=Tropical Cyclone 04A (Chapala) Warning Nr 003 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |archivedatearchive-date=2921 OctoberMay 20152024 |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.today/20240521233039/https://www.webcitation.org/6ceIAdxdh?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO31-PGTW_201510290900.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> The JTWC estimated Chapala attained hurricane-force winds of {{convert|120&nbsp;|km/h (75&nbsp;|mph)|abbr=on|round=5}} at 12:00&nbsp;UTC on 29&nbsp;October.<ref>{{cite report|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |date=29 October 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=28 January 2016 |title=Tropical Cyclone 04A (Chapala) Warning Nr 004 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |archivedatearchive-date=2921 OctoberMay 20152024 |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.today/20240521233122/https://www.webcitation.org/6ceIAMDTs?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO31-PGTW_201510291500.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> Meanwhile, the IMD upgraded Chapala to a severe cyclonic storm at 09:00&nbsp;UTC that day, and further to a very severe cyclonic storm at 18:00&nbsp;UTC.<ref name="imd"/> By early on 30&nbsp;October, Chapala had developed a well-defined eye {{convert|22|km|mi|abbr=on}} wide.<ref name="w7"/> Based on satellite intensity estimates using the [[Dvorak technique]], the JTWC assessed Chapala as a high-end [[SSHS#Category 4 hurricane|Category&nbsp;4-equivalent]] cyclone on the [[Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale]] at 06:00&nbsp;UTC with one-minute sustained winds of {{convert|240&nbsp;|km/h (150&nbsp;|mph)|abbr=on|round=5}}.{{#tag:ref|The Joint Typhoon Warning Center estimated winds of {{convert|250&nbsp;|km/h (155&nbsp;|mph)|abbr=on|round=5}} while the storm was active, but lowered it in a post-season analysis.<ref name="w7">{{cite report|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|date=30 October 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=2 November 2015 |title=Tropical Cyclone 04A (Chapala) Warning Nr 007 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |archivedatearchive-date=3021 OctoberMay 20152024 |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.today/20240521233240/https://www.webcitation.org/6cfesAk63?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO31-PGTW_201510300900.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="bt"/><ref name="atcr"/>|group="nb"}}<ref name="bt">{{cite report|author=Kenneth R. Knapp|author2=Michael C. Kruk|author3=David H. Levinson|author4=Howard J. Diamond|author5=Charles J. Neumann|year=2010|work=The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS): Unifying tropical cyclone best track data|title=2015 Super Cyclonic Storm Chapala (2015301N11065)|publisher=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society|accessdateaccess-date=March 25, 2020|url=http://ibtracs.unca.edu/index.php?name=v04r00-2015301N11065}}</ref> Based on their estimate, Chapala was the second-strongest cyclone on record over the Arabian Sea; at the time, only [[Cyclone Gonu]] of 2007 was stronger,<ref name="CNN1"/> and [[Cyclone Kyarr]] tied it in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jeff Masters|title=Tropical Cyclone Kyarr (150-mph Winds): Arabian Sea's 2nd Strongest Storm on Record|work=Scientific American|url=https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/eye-of-the-storm/tropical-cyclone-kyarr-150-mph-winds-arabian-seas-2nd-strongest-storm-on-record/|date=October 28, 2019|accessdateaccess-date=March 22, 2020}}</ref> Meanwhile, the IMD upgraded Chapala to an extremely severe cyclonic storm at 00:00&nbsp;UTC on 30&nbsp;October and estimated peak three-minute sustained winds of {{convert|215&nbsp;|km/h (130&nbsp;|mph)|abbr=on|round=5}} at 09:00&nbsp;UTC. The agency estimated a minimum central pressure of {{convert|940|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}.<ref name="imd"/>

At the time of peak intensity, Chapala was moving to the west-southwest due to a [[ridge (meteorology)|ridge]] to the north.<ref name="imd"/> Initially, the IMD forecast that Chapala would intensify further into a super cyclonic storm,<ref name="IMD13">{{cite report|author=M. Mohapatra|publisher=India Meteorological Department |date=30 October 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=2 November 2015 |title=Tropical Storm Chapala Advisory 13 issued at 1500 UTC of 30 October 2015 |url=http://www.rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/images/bulletin/rsmc.pdf |archivedatearchive-date=30 October 2015 |archiveurlarchive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6cffO5jQM?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/RSMC_201510301400.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the JTWC anticipated tit strengthening into a Category&nbsp;5-equivalent.<ref name="w7"/> Instead, the storm began an [[eyewall replacement cycle]] on 30&nbsp;October, causing the inner eyewall to degrade and an outer eyewall to form; this resulted in a slight drop in intensity.<ref name="imd"/> As well, drier air began affecting the storm, causing the thunderstorms around the eye to diminish.<ref name="d9">{{cite report|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|date=31 October 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=2 November 2015 |title=Tropical Cyclone 04A (Chapala) Warning Nr 009 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |archivedatearchive-date=3121 OctoberMay 20152024 |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.today/20240521233441/https://www.webcitation.org/6chJByMWt?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO31-PGTW_201510310300.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> Chapala maintained much of its intensity due to strong outflow in all directions,<ref name="imd"/> especially to the northeast due to a [[tropical upper tropospheric trough]] over India,<ref name="d9"/> despite increased wind shear.<ref>{{cite report|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|date=31 October 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=2 November 2015 |title=Tropical Cyclone 04A (Chapala) Warning Nr 012 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |archivedatearchive-date=3121 OctoberMay 20152024 |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.today/20240521233400/https://www.webcitation.org/6chJBOEwZ?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO31-PGTW_201510311500.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> The new eyewall became established on 31&nbsp;October, reaching a diameter of {{convert|37|km|mi|abbr=on}}, although the thunderstorms around the eye continued to weaken.<ref name="imd"/> On 1&nbsp;November, Chapala passed just north of the island of [[Socotra]],<ref>{{cite report|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |date=1 November 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=28 January 2016 |title=Tropical Cyclone 04A (Chapala) Warning Nr 015 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |archivedatearchive-date=121 NovemberMay 20152024 |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.today/20240521233604/https://www.webcitation.org/6civhomMc?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO31-PGTW_201511010900.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> marking the island's first hurricane-force impact since 1922.<ref name="GulfNews1">{{cite news|author=Derek Baldwin|newspaper=Gulf News|date=2 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=2 November 2015|title=Cyclone Chapala to dump 400mm of rainfall in Yemen|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/yemen/cyclone-chapala-to-dump-400mm-of-rainfall-in-yemen-1.1611847}}</ref>

After the cyclone passed Socotra, its convective core became better-defined due to improved outflow.<ref>{{cite report|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|date=1 November 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=2 November 2015 |title=Tropical Cyclone 04A (Chapala) Warning Nr 017 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |archivedatearchive-date=121 NovemberMay 20152024 |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.today/20240521233519/https://www.webcitation.org/6civhDoPZ?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO31-PGTW_201511012100.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> Chapala entered the [[Gulf of Aden]] on 2&nbsp;November, becoming the strongest tropical cyclone on record in that region.<ref name=IBT>{{cite news|author=Priyanka Mogul|title=Cyclone Chapala: Rare tropical storm makes landfall over Yemen, killing three|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/cyclone-chapala-rare-tropical-storm-makes-landfall-over-yemen-killing-three-1527002|publisherwork=International Business Times|accessdateaccess-date=6 November 2015|date=3 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="Met Office">{{cite web|title=Cyclone Chapala nearing landfall over Yemen|url=http://blog.metoffice.gov.uk/2015/11/02/cyclone-chapala-nearing-landfall-over-yemen/|publisher=Met Office News Blog|accessdateaccess-date=6 November 2015|date=2 November 2015}}</ref> At 12:00&nbsp;UTC that day, the IMD downgraded the system to a very severe cyclonic storm, after Chapala had been an extremely severe cyclonic storm for 78&nbsp;hours.<ref name="imd"/> The structure became disorganized due to increased easterly wind shear and interaction with the [[Arabian Peninsula]] to the north,<ref>{{cite report|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|date=2 November 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=2 November 2015 |title=Tropical Cyclone 04A (Chapala) Warning Nr 021 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |archivedatearchive-date=321 NovemberMay 20152024 |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.today/20240521233802/https://www.webcitation.org/6clwCJik7?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO31-PGTW_201511022100.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> allowing cooler and drier air to enter the circulation. Around this time, the storm began moving more to the west-northwest toward [[Yemen]], rounding the southwestern periphery of a ridge.<ref name="imd"/> Between 01:00–02:00&nbsp;UTC on 3&nbsp;November, Chapala made [[landfall (meteorology)|landfall]] near [[Mukalla]] with winds of {{convert|120&nbsp;|km/h (75&nbsp;|mph)|abbr=on|round=5}}.<ref name="imd"/> This marked the first Yemeni hurricane-intensity landfall on record,<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Guardian|author=Cassie Bell|title=Cyclone Chapala whirls furiously into Yemen|date=4 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=30 March 2020|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/nov/04/weatherwatch-bell-chapala-cyclone-yemen-mukulla-storms-floods}}</ref> and the first severe cyclonic storm to hit the country since [[1960 North Indian Ocean cyclone season#Severe Cyclonic Storm One|May 1960]].<ref name="imd"/> The center straddled the coast before heading inland.<ref>{{cite report|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|date=3 November 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=28 January 2016 |title=Tropical Cyclone 04A (Chapala) Warning Nr 023 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |archivedatearchive-date=321 NovemberMay 20152024 |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.today/20240521233640/https://www.webcitation.org/6clwBeqXP?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO31-PGTW_201511030900.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|date=3 November 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=28 January 2016 |title=Tropical Cyclone 04A (Chapala) Warning Nr 024 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |archivedatearchive-date=321 NovemberMay 20152024 |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.today/20240521233720/https://www.webcitation.org/6clwBMKvp?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO31-PGTW_201511031500.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> Chapala quickly weakened over land, degenerating into a depression by 00:00&nbsp;UTC on 4&nbsp;November and weakening into a remnant low -pressure area three hours later.<ref name="imd"/>

By 30&nbsp;October, well ahead of the storm, officials in [[Oman]] relayed the potential for [[flash flood]]ing and high waves along the coast.<ref name="afp1030"/> The public was advised to stay away from low-lying areas, while fishermen were asked to avoid venturing into the sea,<ref name="emirates247chapala" /> because of the potential for waves reaching {{convert|5|to|7|m|ft|abbr=on}} in height.<ref name="afp1030">{{cite news|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=30 October 2015|title='Extremely severe' cyclone heading for Yemen, Oman: UN|newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Lebanon)|The Daily Star]]|accessdateaccess-date=22 March 2020|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2015/Oct-30/320916-extremely-severe-cyclone-heading-for-yemen-oman-un.ashx|archive-date=23 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323030521/https://www.dailystar.com.lb//News/Middle-East/2015/Oct-30/320916-extremely-severe-cyclone-heading-for-yemen-oman-un.ashx|url-status=dead}}</ref> Officials closed all schools in [[Dhofar Governorate]].<ref name="afp1030"/> The storm ultimately passed south of the country, sparing the feared impacts from the cyclone.<ref>{{cite report|publisher=Government of Oman|via=ReliefWeb|title=NMHEWS End of Chapala Direct Impacts|date=2 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=29 January 2016|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/oman/nmhews-end-chapala-direct-impacts}}</ref>

Ahead of the storm, the threat of high seas spurred the [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] to dissuade Somali and Ethiopian refugees from crossing to Yemen.<ref name="unhcr"/> Large [[Swell (ocean)|swells]] produced by Chapala caused extensive coastal damage in Somalia,<ref name="news24"/> damaging 280&nbsp;boats.<ref name="care"/> Eastern Puntland was hardest-hit,<ref name="news24">{{cite news|newspaper=[[News24 (website)|News24]]|agency=Deutsche Presse-Agentur|date=3 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=4 November 2015|title=Cyclone leaves thousands homeless in Somalia|url=http://www.news24.com/Green/News/Cyclone-leaves-thousands-homeless-in-Somalia-20151103|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208141750/http://www.news24.com/Green/News/Cyclone-leaves-thousands-homeless-in-Somalia-20151103|url-status=dead}}</ref> where the cyclone damaged {{convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on}} of roads,<ref name="care"/> and nine schools; about 2,000&nbsp;students had to continue learning in tents.<ref>{{cite report|publisher=UNICEF|date=30 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=3 February 2016|title=UNICEF Somalia Humanitarian Situation Report 11, November 2015|via=ReliefWeb|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/UNICEF%20Somalia%20Humanitarian%20Sitrep%20November%202015.pdf}}</ref> In the [[Bari, Somalia|Bari region]], Chapala wrecked 350&nbsp;houses,<ref name="care"/> leaving thousands of residents homeless.<ref name="news24"/> Also in the region, the storm killed 25,000&nbsp;animals and downed 5,100&nbsp;trees.<ref name="care">{{cite report|publisher=CARE|via=ReliefWeb|title=The Humanitarian Coalition and CARE Canada help cyclone survivors in Somalia|date=15 December 2015|accessdateaccess-date=3 February 2016|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/disaster_response_strategy_care_somalia_cyclone_en_0.pdf}}</ref> Heavy rainfall from the storm spread to the northeastern tip of Somalia,<ref name="fao"/> and westward to the [[Berbera District]] in [[Somaliland]]. There, the storm killed 3,000&nbsp;sheep and goats, as well as 200&nbsp;camels; this severely affected the local [[nomad]]ic population who rely on the livestock for their livelihood.<ref>{{cite report|date=14 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=2 February 2016|via=ReliefWeb|title=Somalia: Tropical Cyclone Chapala Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) DREF Operation ° MDRSO004|publisher=International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/report/somalia/somalia-tropical-cyclone-chapala-emergency-plan-action-epoa-dref-operation-mdrso004}}</ref> Continuous rainfall forced families to leave their homes in low-lying areas for higher grounds.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Somaliland Press|author=Goth Mohamed Goth|date=7 November 2015|title=Somaliland: Government Distributes Relief Aid to Storm affected Bulahaar residents|accessdateaccess-date=2 February 2016|url=http://www.somalilandpress.com/somalilandgovernment-distributes-relief-aid-to-storm-affected-bulahaar-residents/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203114605/http://www.somalilandpress.com/somalilandgovernment-distributes-relief-aid-to-storm-affected-bulahaar-residents/|archive-date=3 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After the storm, the government of Somaliland distributed rice, sugar, and plastic sheets.<ref name="land">{{cite news|title=In Somaliland, climate change is now a life-or-death challenge|author=Clár Ní Chonghaile|newspaper=The Guardian|date=23 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=2 February 2016|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/nov/23/somaliland-climate-change-drought-cyclones-life-or-death-challenge}}</ref> After Chapala and the subsequent [[Cyclone Megh]], the local [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|Red Cross]] chapter distributed blankets, sleeping mats, and mattresses to the affected families.<ref>{{cite report|title=Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) Somalia: Tropical Cyclone Chapala|publisher=International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|via=ReliefWeb|date=14 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=2 February 2016|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/MDRSO004_0.pdf}}</ref> The [[CARE (relief agency)|CARE]] relief agency provided US$300,000 toward relief goods and the restoration of safe water.<ref name="care"/>

Cyclone Chapala was slated to be the strongest tropical cyclone ever to affect Yemen,<ref name="CNN1"/> and this sparked fears of catastrophic flooding amid the [[Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)|ongoing civil war]].<ref name="emirates247chapala"/> The [[United Nations]] indicated that Yemen was in the midst of "one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world."<ref name="CNN1"/> Rainfall was forecast to total more than several years' worth of precipitation in some areas, bringing fears of "massive debris flows and flash flooding."<ref name="CNN1">{{cite news|author=Jethro Mullen|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=2 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=2 November 2015|title=Rare cyclone poses new worries for war-torn Yemen|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/02/middleeast/yemen-tropical-cyclone-chapala/}}</ref> Some [[Numerical weather prediction|weather models]] showed peak accumulations of {{convert|400|mm|in|abbr=on}} or more. Fears of damage and loss of life were compounded by the [[power vacuum]] in areas controlled by [[al-Qaeda]], particularly the port city of Mukalla where approximately 300,000&nbsp;people lived.<ref name="GulfNews1"/>

The internationally recognized government, which controls most of southern Yemen, announced the suspension of schools in four [[Governorates of Yemen|governorates]]: [[Hadhramaut Governorate|Hadhramaut]], [[Socotra Governorate|Socotra]], [[Al Mahrah Governorate|Al Mahrah]] and [[Shabwah Governorate|Shabwah]].<ref name="emirates247chapala">{{cite news|author=Bindu Rai|title=Cyclone Chapala: 30ft high waves; Schools suspended; Oman, Yemen on high alert|url=http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/cyclone-chapala-30ft-high-waves-schools-suspended-oman-yemen-on-high-alert-2015-11-01-1.608666|accessdateaccess-date=1 November 2015|work=[[Emirates 24/7]]|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=1 November 2015}}</ref> Yemen's meteorological agency told residents to stay at least 1&nbsp;km (0.6&nbsp;mi) inland.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=30 October 2015|title=Oman, Yemen warn coastal areas as severe cyclone approaches|newspaper=[[The Jordan Times]]|accessdateaccess-date=22 March 2020|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/region/oman-yemen-warn-coastal-areas-severe-cyclone-approaches}}</ref> About 18,750&nbsp;people left their homes ahead of the storm on the Yemen mainland.<ref name="ocha1">{{cite report|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/OCHA%20Yemen%20Flash%20Update%20-%20Nov%203%20final.pdf|title=Yemen: Cyclone Chapala Flash Update 1 | date= 3 November 2015|publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|accessdateaccess-date=29 January 2016}}</ref> Most people sheltered in public buildings like schools or hospitals, or stayed with relatives.<ref name="irin115"/> The [[World Health Organization]] distributed gasoline to ambulances and hospitals to ensure they would continue operating effectively.<ref>{{cite report|publisher=World Health Organization|via=ReliefWeb|date=2 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=29 January 2016|title=WHO scales up response in Yemen for cyclone Chapala|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/who-scales-response-yemen-cyclone-chapala}}</ref> [[Al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen|Al-Qaeda]] controlled Mukalla evacuated a coastal neighborhood.<ref name="Nov1AP">{{cite news|author=Ahmed Al-Haj|work=Associated Press News|date=1 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=19 March 2020|title=Yemen's Socotra Island hit by rare cyclone|url=https://apnews.com/9f76cfdd759142319e049f7b284c6e04}}</ref>

In [[Socotra]], over 1,000&nbsp;families evacuated to schools set up as shelters.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=1 November 2015|title=Yemeni island lashed as cyclone heads for mainland|newspaper=[[Gulf Times]]|accessdateaccess-date=22 March 2020|url=https://www.gulf-times.com/story/461262/Yemen-island-is-lashed-as-cyclone-heads-for-mainland}}</ref> On 1&nbsp;November, Chapala produced hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall to the island. Residents described rainfall as the most severe in decades.<ref name="Nov1AP"/> Northeastern areas of the island were rendered inaccessible due to flooding,<ref name="CNN1"/> forcing residents to ride out the storm on their roofs.<ref name="curse"/> Chapala damaged Socotra's main port,<ref name="rw114"/> and also caused an island-wide power outage.<ref name="curse"/> The cyclone destroyed 237&nbsp;homes on the island and damaged 497&nbsp;others,<ref name="curse"/><ref name="rw115">{{cite report|publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|via=ReliefWeb|date=5 November 2015|title=Yemen: Cyclone Chapala Flash Update 3|accessdateaccess-date=30 January 2016|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/OCHA%20Yemen%20Flash%20Update%20-%20Nov%205%20final.pdf}}</ref> forcing about 18,000&nbsp;people to leave their homes.<ref name="irin115">{{cite news|agency=IRIN|date=5 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=5 November 2015|title=Will Yemen's storm yet prove disastrous?|via=ReliefWeb|url=http://www.img.static.reliefweb.int/report/yemen/will-yemen-s-storm-yet-prove-disastrous|author=Annie Slemrod|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204063951/http://www.img.static.reliefweb.int/report/yemen/will-yemen-s-storm-yet-prove-disastrous|archive-date=4 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Chapala caused at least 200&nbsp;injuries.<ref name="GulfNews1"/> Despite initial reports of three deaths on the island, there were no confirmed fatalities on Socotra, according to the [[United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]] (OCHA).<ref name="curse"/><ref name=PHYS>{{cite news|title=Panic, deaths as Yemen's Socotra hit by new cyclone|url=http://phys.org/news/2015-11-panic-deaths-yemen-socotra-cyclone.html|agency=Agence France-Presse|accessdateaccess-date=31 March 2020|date=8 November 2015}}</ref>

High winds, strong waves, and heavy rainfall affected the southern Yemen coast.<ref name="rw114"/> The weather station at [[Riyan Airport]] reported sustained winds of {{convert|73|mph|km/h|abbr=on|order=flip}}, with gusts to {{convert|89|mph|km/h|abbr=on|order=flip}}, before it stopped recording; the continued increase in winds supported that Chapala made landfall in Yemen as the equivalent of a hurricane.<ref>{{cite web|author=Bob Henson|date=3 November 2015|title=Chapala Slams Yemen: First Hurricane-Strength Cyclone on Record|publisher=[[Weather Underground (weather service)|Weather Underground]]|accessdateaccess-date=30 March 2020|url=https://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/chapala-slams-yemen-first-hurricanestrength-cyclone-on-record.html}}</ref> Some parts of the region received 610&nbsp;mm (24&nbsp;in) of rainfall, 700% of the yearly average, in just 48&nbsp;hours.<ref name="rw114"/> As the area usually receives less than 50&nbsp;mm (2&nbsp;in) of rainfall per year, the ground was unable to absorb much of the water. The resulting runoff triggered flash floods, collected along [[wadi]]s, or typically dry river beds, and inundated coastal areas several kilometres inland.<ref name="curse"/><ref>{{cite report|publisher=NASA|date=6 November 2015|title=Chapala Drenches the Desert|via=ReliefWeb|accessdateaccess-date=31 March 2020|url=http://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/chapala-drenches-desert-6-nov-2015}}</ref>

Across Yemen's mainland, Chapala destroyed 214&nbsp;homes and damaged another 600.<ref name="rw114"/> The storm caused eight deaths – five by drowning and three inside collapsed homes.<ref name=MEE>{{cite web|title=8 killed in Yemen cyclone storm: Official|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/official-8-yemenis-killed-cyclone-storm-877067082|newspaper=[[Middle East Eye]]|accessdateaccess-date=5 November 2015}}</ref><ref name=Floodlist>{{cite web|title=Yemen – Storm Chapala Leaves 3 Dead, 35 Injured and 40,000 Displaced|url=http://floodlist.com/asia/yemen-storm-chapala-leaves-3-dead-35-injured-and-40000-displaced|publisher=Floodlist News|accessdateaccess-date=4 November 2015}}</ref> One of the deaths occurred as far west as Aden, where a fisherman drowned amid rough seas.<ref name="afp114">{{cite news|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=4 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=22 March 2020|title=Aid from neighbours reaches Yemen as cyclone eases|newspaper=The Jordan Times|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/region/aid-neighbours-reaches-yemen-cyclone-eases}}</ref> Officials attributed the low death toll to the widespread evacuations ahead of the storm.<ref name="rw116">{{cite report|publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|via=ReliefWeb|date=6 November 2015|title=Yemen: Cyclone Chapala Flash Update 4|accessdateaccess-date=30 January 2016|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/OCHA%20Yemen%20Flash%20Update%20No%204%20-%20Nov%206%20final.pdf}}</ref> About 65 people were injured,<ref name="ocha116">{{cite report|publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|via=ReliefWeb|date=8 November 2015|title=Yemen: Cyclone Chapala Flash Update 5|accessdateaccess-date=2 February 2016|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Flash%20Update%205_8%20Nov%20.pdf}}</ref> including 25 in Mukalla.<ref name="flash5">{{cite report|date=5 November 2015|title=Yemen – Tropical Cyclone Chapala (ECHO, OCHA, WFP, Log Cluster, Media) (ECHO Daily Flash of 5 November 2015)|publisher=European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office|via=ReliefWeb|accessdateaccess-date=30 January 2016|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-tropical-cyclone-chapala-echo-ocha-wfp-log-cluster-media-echo-daily-flash-5}}</ref> [[Aon (company)|Aon Benfield]] estimated nationwide damage in the hundreds of millions ([[United States dollar|USD]]).<ref>{{cite web |title=Global Catastrophe Recap December 2015 |url=http://thoughtleadership.aonbenfield.com/Documents/20160106-if-december-global-recap.pdf |publisher=Aon Benfield |accessdateaccess-date=2 June 2018 |archive-date=22 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422172524/http://thoughtleadership.aon.com/Documents/20160106-if-december-global-recap.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Flooding from Chapala damaged crops, killed livestock, and wrecked boats.<ref name="rw114"/> There, the storm damaged seven health facilities, including two in the nation's fifth-largest city, Mukalla.<ref name="rw114">{{cite report|publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|via=ReliefWeb|date=4 November 2015|title=Yemen: Cyclone Chapala Flash Update|accessdateaccess-date=5 November 2015|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/OCHA%20Yemen%20Flash%20Update%20-%20Nov%204%20final.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|publisher=World Health Organization|date=9 November 2015|via=ReliefWeb|title=Yemen conflict Situation report #18, 26 October – 9 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=2 February 2016|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/WHO_Yemen_situation_report_Issue_number_18_26_October_-_09_November__final.pdf}}</ref> The storm severed phone lines,<ref name="curse"/> disrupted water access after damaging pipes,<ref name="f11"/> and damaged 90&nbsp;houses.<ref name="flash5"/> Residents in Mukalla took shelter in schools as the storm destroyed the waterfront.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cyclone Chapala bears down on mainland Yemen|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34698709|accessdateaccess-date=3 November 2015|agency=BBC|date=3 November 2015}}</ref> The city's main hospital was closed because of flooding, but reopened two days later.<ref>{{cite report|publisher=MapAction|title=Yemen: TC Chapala – The map shows reports on casualties in affected areas (11 Nov 2015)|date=11 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=2 February 2016|via=ReliefWeb|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/MA009_Yemen_Casualties_300dpi.pdf}}</ref> About {{convert|35|km|mi|abbr=on}} of primary and secondary roads in and around Mukalla, including the coastal road from [[Aden]] to the city, were clogged with mud due to the floods and landslides.<ref name="rw115"/> About 80% of the village of Jilah was flooded,<ref name="wfp1112">{{cite report|publisher=World Food Programme|title=Yemen Situation Update (12 November 2015)|accessdateaccess-date=2 February 2016|date=12 November 2015|via=ReliefWeb|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/logistics_cluster_yemen_situation_update_151112.pdf}}</ref> damaging 250&nbsp;houses.<ref name="f9">{{cite report|publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|via=ReliefWeb|date=13 November 2015|title=Yemen: Cyclones Chapala and Megh Flash Update 9|accessdateaccess-date=2 February 2016|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Yemen_Flash_Update_9_12_Nov_Final.pdf}}</ref>

The Yemeni Government declared a [[state of emergency]] for Socotra shortly after the storm's passage on 1&nbsp;November.<ref>{{cite web|language=Arabicar|date=1 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=2 November 2015|title=عشرات الضحايا ونزوح الآلآف من سقطرى اليمنية بسبب "شابالا" |url=http://www.arabiaweather.com/content/%D8%B6%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%AF%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%84-%D9%88%D9%86%D8%B2%D9%88%D8%AD-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A2%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%81-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%B3%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%A8-%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7|publisher=Arabia Weather|author=وداد-السعودي}}</ref> The local Red Crescent gave cooked meals and tarps to the island's residents.<ref>{{cite report|publisher= International Committee of the Red Cross|date=20 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=3 February 2016|title=Yemen: Tropical cyclones compound humanitarian suffering|via=ReliefWeb|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-tropical-cyclones-compound-humanitarian-suffering}}</ref> Several [[Arab states of the Persian Gulf|Persian Gulf countries]] sent 43&nbsp;planes with supplies to the island by 19&nbsp;November.<ref name="f11"/> Neighboring Oman sent 14&nbsp;cargo planes' worth of food totaling 270&nbsp;tons, as well as blankets and tents.<ref name="ocha116"/><ref name="afp114"/> The United Arab Emirates also sent a ship and a plane carrying 500&nbsp;tons of food, 10&nbsp;tons of blankets and tents, and 1,200&nbsp;barrels of diesel fuel.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Emirates News Agency|accessdateaccess-date=3 February 2016|date=24 November 2015|title=Khalifa Foundation sends aid to Socotra Archipelago|via=ReliefWeb|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/khalifa-foundation-sends-aid-socotra-archipelago}}</ref> The [[International Organization for Migration]] provided 2,000&nbsp;shelter kits as well as a medical team to Socotra.<ref name="iom"/> Due to damage to the island's main port, residents built a makeshift pathway to help the distribution of aid.<ref>{{cite report|publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|via=ReliefWeb|date=11 November 2015|title=Yemen: Cyclones Chapala and Megh Flash Update 8|accessdateaccess-date=2 February 2016|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Yemen_Flash_Update_8_11_Nov_Final.pdf}}</ref>

In the days after the storm, airstrikes and attacks continued elsewhere in the country.<ref name="rw115"/> One week after Chapala, Cyclone Megh followed a similar path.<ref name="megh">{{cite report|publisher=India Meteorological Department|title=Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm, Megh over the Arabian Sea (05-10 November 2015): A Report |date=December 2015|accessdateaccess-date=22 January 2016|url=http://www.rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/images/pdf/publications/preliminary-report/Megh.pdf}}</ref> Together, the passages of Chapala and Megh near Socotra and mainland Yemen killed 26&nbsp;people and displaced 47,000&nbsp;people.<ref>{{cite report|publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|title=Humanitarian Bulletin Yemen Issue 5|via=ReliefWeb|date=13 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=2 February 2016|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/20151113_Yemen_Humanitarian_Bulletin_5.pdf}}</ref> Relief distribution was disrupted due to the poor communications in the region, worsened by the ongoing civil war,<ref name="curse">{{cite news|agency=IRIN|date=3 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=29 January 2016|title=Yemen's curse: civil war, bombs, and now floods|via=ReliefWeb|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemens-curse-civil-war-bombs-and-now-floods}}</ref> with the hardest hit areas under al-Qaeda control;<ref name="rw114"/> aid trucks had to pass security clearances, resulting in delays.<ref name="wfp1112"/> Workers began restoring communications and clearing roads in the days after the storm.<ref name="ocha116"/> By 19&nbsp;November, most of the displaced residents had returned home, although some remained in shelters due to housing damage.<ref name="f11">{{cite report|publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|via=ReliefWeb|date=19 November 2015|title=Yemen: Cyclones Chapala and Megh Flash Update 11|accessdateaccess-date=3 February 2016|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Yemen_Flash_%20Update_%2011_19_Nov_Final.pdf}}</ref> Southern portions of Yemen saw food and fuel shortages following the two storms.<ref>{{cite report|publisher=World Food Programme|title=Yemen Market Situation Update Weeks 1 and 2: November 2015|date=25 November 2015|via=ReliefWeb|accessdateaccess-date=3 February 2016|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/wfp279546.pdf}}</ref> Mukalla experienced an outbreak of [[dengue fever]] by January 2016 due to the floods, affecting 1,040&nbsp;people; earlier efforts to kill disease carrying mosquitoes were ineffective due to residual floods and unsanitary conditions. Seven people died due to the outbreak.<ref name="al14">{{cite news|title=Dengue fever spreads in Yemeni city ravaged by cyclone|newspaper=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]|author=Saeed Al Batati|accessdateaccess-date=3 February 2016|date=4 January 2016|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/01/dengue-fever-spreads-yemeni-city-ravaged-cyclone-160103072554970.html}}</ref> Flooding from Chapala led to a locust outbreak in March 2016, which spread across Yemen and reached as far as Pakistan.<ref>{{cite report|author=Keith Cressma|publisher=Desert Locust Information Service|date=12 August 2016|accessdateaccess-date=9 April 2020|title=Yemen March 2016–present Post-cyclone Outbreak|url=http://www.fao.org/ag/locusts/common/ecg/2312/en/1603YEMe.pdf}}</ref>

Agencies under the United Nations and non-government organizations provided assistance to the storm victims,<ref name="rw115"/> although aid agencies were cautious in helping a city under control of Al Qaeda.<ref name="al14"/> The [[Red Crescent Society of the United Arab Emirates]], in conjunction with the Khalifa Foundation and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, provided aid to the hardest hit areas of mainland Yemen via an [[airbridge (logistics)|airbridge]],<ref>{{cite report|date=3 November 2015|title=Yemen – Tropical Cyclone Chapala (ECHO, GDACS, JTWC, NMS, NASA, Media) (ECHO Daily Flash of 3 November 2015)|publisher=European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office|via=ReliefWeb|accessdateaccess-date=29 January 2016|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-tropical-cyclone-chapala-echo-gdacs-jtwc-nms-nasa-mediaecho-daily-flash-3}}</ref> as well as over land.<ref name="rw115"/> United Nations agencies sent 29&nbsp;trucks carrying 296&nbsp;tons of non-food items, and the World Health Organization sent a ship from [[Djibouti]] with 18&nbsp;tons of medical supplies.<ref>{{cite report|publisher=World Food Programme|title=Yemen Situation Update (18 November 2015)|date=18 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=2 February 2016|via=ReliefWeb|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/logistics_cluster_yemen_situation_update_151118.pdf}}</ref> To prevent the spread of disease, officials distributed mosquito nets and began mass-immunizing children under five years old beginning in early November.<ref name="ocha116"/> A national effort to vaccinate against polio was disrupted in six governorates by the cyclone, but was completed by December.<ref>{{cite report|date=3 December 2015|accessdateaccess-date=3 February 2016|title=UNICEF Yemen Crisis Humanitarian Situation Report (21 November – 3 December 2015)|publisher=UNICEF|via=ReliefWeb|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/unicef-yemen-crisis-humanitarian-situation-report-21-november-3-december-2015-enar}}</ref> [[Médecins Sans Frontières]] established a medical clinic in Mukalla while also setting up a water tank.<ref>{{cite report|publisher=Médecins Sans Frontières|date=1 December 2015|accessdateaccess-date=3 February 2016|title=Yemen: Aiding People Affected by Cyclones in Hadhramaut Province|via=ReliefWeb|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-aiding-people-affected-cyclones-hadhramaut-province}}</ref> To help with food shortages, the [[World Food Programme]] had provided [[High Energy Biscuits]] by 30&nbsp;November to 24,900&nbsp;people, using pre-stocked supplies.<ref>{{cite report|agencypublisher=World Food Programme|date=15 December 2015|accessdateaccess-date=3 February 2016|title=WFP Yemen Situation Report #18, 13 December 2015|via=ReliefWeb|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/wfp-yemen-situation-report-18-13-december-2015|format=PDF}}</ref> The International Organization for Migration provided {{convert|41000|lL|USgal}} of water per day in Shabwah and Abyan governorates,<ref name="iom">{{cite report|publisher=International Organization for Migration|via=ReliefWeb|accessdateaccess-date=3 February 2016|date=3 December 2015|title=Yemen Crisis: IOM Regional Response – Situation Report, 3 December 2015|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/IOM-Yemen-Crisis-Sitrep-3-December%20-2015-35.pdf}}</ref> and also helped clean sewage and storm debris.<ref>{{cite report|publisher=International Organization for Migration|via=ReliefWeb|accessdateaccess-date=3 February 2016|date=7 January 2016|title=Yemen Crisis: IOM Regional Response – Situation Report, 7 January 2016|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/IOM%20Yemen%20Crisis%20Sitrep%207%20January%202016%2037.pdf}}</ref> Agencies also delivered hygiene kits and food to the hardest hit areas.<ref name="rw114"/> The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees provided emergency beds, cooking utensils, and other supplies to about 1,600&nbsp;families.<ref name="unhcr">{{cite report|publisher=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees|title=UNHCR provides emergency relief to cyclone-displaced in Yemen|date=6 November 2015|accessdateaccess-date=30 January 2016|via=ReliefWeb|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/unhcr-provides-emergency-relief-cyclone-displaced-yemen}}</ref>

[[Category:October 2015 events in Asia]]

[[Category:Tropical cyclones in 2015|Chapala]]