Mombasa Road closed after Athi River bridge collapses – PHOTO, VIDEO
By STEPHEN MUTHINIThe Nairobi-Mombasa highway has been closed at Athi River and traffic diverted to Kangundo Road after a bridge was submerged in water following heavy rains.
Machakos Base Commander Abdinasir Harun Thursday said that the river broke its banks at Mto wa Mawe bridge, making the busy road impassable.
At the same time, houses at the Green Park estate which is along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway was flooded after River Athi broke its banks, with Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua saying that county emergency services had rescued over 50 people.
Dr Mutua further said that with the flood waters still rising, the road was likely to be closed until Friday.
“Our emergency assessment is that the highway will be cut off until tomorrow (Friday). The road is now closed,” Dr Mutua said in a Facebook post Thursday.
River Mawe near Green Park Estate along Mombasa Road. #NairobiRains #NairobiFloods pic.twitter.com/f0PJ8Posoz
— Brian (@BryBell11) March 15, 2018
He added that most of those who had been rescued from the flooded Green Park estate were the elderly, house helps and children after houses were submerged in water.
Machakos County Director of Rescue Services David Mwongela said River Athi broke its banks following heavy rains in Ngong Hills where it originates.
He said the county emergency services had evacuated all residents of Green Park Homes which were partially submerged in water.
ALERT: The Athi river at Mto ya Mawe in Machakos County (Green Park area) has broken its banks and flooded over Mombasa Highway. As it is right now, the water is rising. Our emergency assessment is that the highway wil be cut off until tomorrow. The road is now CLOSED. pic.twitter.com/bIc9PQDDRa
— Dr. Alfred Mutua (@DrAlfredMutua) March 15, 2018
One person was also rescued from the raging waters, Mr Mwongela told Daily Nation.
“We have evacuated all people from Green Park Homes and rescued one person who was trapped in the water,” Mr Mwongela said.
There were no casualties reported but Mr Mwongela advised motorists to avoid the road.