SANAA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least 58 people have been killed by floods which hit southeastern Yemen following two days of heavy rainfall, the official SABA news agency reported on Saturday, citing the interior ministry.

Houses damaged by floods are seen in the eastern province of Hadramout, Yemen, Oct. 25, 2008. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Up to Saturday morning, at least 58 people have died in the eastern provinces of Hadramout, Mahra and Taiz due to heavy rain and ensuing floods, according to the interior ministry.

    The downpour also demolished hundreds of houses, displaced hundreds of families and affected many infrastructure projects, including the electricity and telephone networks, said the report.

    The death toll might hike as the damage counting is still underway in the flooded areas.

Houses damaged by floods are seen in the eastern province of Hadramout, Yemen,  Oct. 25, 2008. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Saturday inspected the flood-stricken area to oversee the aid and relief works, according to the SABA.

    "The damages... are great and the catastrophe is also great," said the president while inspecting the province of Mahra, assuring that reconstructing roads, facilities and services will be high on the agenda after the initial rescue efforts.

    Military forces in these areas are ready to provide assistance to the victims of the disaster, said the president, who has also set up an emergency committee for the delivery of aid.