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The government has urged people living in flood-prone areas to evacuate or be moved forcefully as the water level in two major hydroelectric dams has risen to a historic high.
Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya suffered more losses in property and heavy infrastructural destruction due to heavy and erratic rains, disrupting civic life. Flooding led to the closure of major highways and arterial roads, choking the city and suburbs.
As reported by www.trendsnafrica.com, flooding, landslides, and mishaps so far snatched the lives of close to 160 people. The Metrology Department has warned that more rain is expected this week. A river broke through a clogged tunnel in the Mai Mahiu area in western Kenya. Houses were swept away and roads were damaged. The incident left 48 people dead and more than 80 others missing.
The government has urged people living in flood-prone areas to evacuate or be moved forcefully as the water level in two major hydroelectric dams has risen to a historic high.
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There are also reports that the Human Rights Watch, a watchdog monitoring rights violations that Kenyan authorities have not responded adequately to flash floods resulting from heavy rains. Apart from avoidable death, the body said that floods displaced more than 200,000, and affected livelihoods across the country.
Kenya and most of the East African region have been lashed by relentless and devastating downpours in recent weeks. In its plans to combat climate change, including the comprehensive National Climate Change Action Plan 2023-2027 and its disaster response plans, Kenya identified flooding as a risk, identified areas that could be affected, and highlighted ways to mitigate it. The country also has a national disaster management unit. As early as May 2023, the Kenya Meteorological Department warned that the country would experience enhanced rainfall due to El Niño between May-July and October-December, continuing into early 2024.
