Neighbouring Oman downgraded its state of alert, saying the cyclone had moved westwards and would not directly hit the sultanate.
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Usually, tropical cyclones weaken due to reduced ocean temperatures that cools it, and dissipates before hitting the Yemen, after ingesting hot, dry desert air.
Earlier forecasts had predicted that the storm would make landfall near the border between Oman and Yemen.
As much as 5-10 inches of rain is forecast, more than the region typically receives in a year, according to AccuWeather.
Chapala is headed toward central and southeastern Yemen, where bands of heavy rain and gusty winds began to arrive Monday, AccuWeather said.
The officials said Cyclone Chapala seriously damaged or destroyed at least 20 homes on the island, where trees have been uprooted and fishing boats sank.
The deluge is likely to cause “massive debris flows and flash flooding”, CNN meteorologist Tom Sater warned.
Chapala has been tracking toward Yemen since late last week.
Chapala was already dumping light to medium rain in Al Mukalla, where wave heights swelled between 1-4 meters (3-13 feet).
Meteorological agencies had earlier predicted Chapala would hit land around Balhaf, the site of Yemen’s liquefied natural gas terminal, and weaken as it advanced towards the capital Sanaa in the country’s north.
The centre projected the cyclone would make landfall on the mainland just west of the restive port city of Mukalla, which has been run by a tribal council and Al Qaeda militants since the army and government institutions withdrew in April.
The tropical storm, rare for the arid region, made landfall in the provinces of Hadramawt and Shabwa in the country’s southeast on Tuesday bringing winds of more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) an hour.
“The winds are a threat but we expect the biggest impact will be from the very, very, very serious rainfall”.
Authorities in Yemen and Oman are urging residents to evacuate coastal areas.
This storm is being called a cyclone rather than a hurricane or typhoon because of its location.
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Farther inland and coastal areas away from the core of the storm will be at risk for risky flooding; however, damaging winds will be unlikely.
