Six more die due to El Nino rains
By Mercy SimiyuSix more people have died as a result of flooding caused by the El Nino rains in Kenya.
This brings the total number of casualties to 174, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura says.
The recent casualties include a mother and her child at Guruga village in Kiambu County, whose home was swept away by a landslide as a result of the heavy rains.
Others are four individuals who were working at a gold mine village in Migori County during the heavy rains.
Mwaura also explained that 56 goats died in Kitui County as a result of the heavy rains. The rains also displaced 380 people in 76 households and damaged a number of roads in the area.
The government has established 170 camps to temporarily shelter the affected Kenyans. So far, 109, 197 households comprising roughly 545,895 have been displaced.
“Tana River’s water levels have risen significantly from 3.4m to 4.8m over the weekend. Consequently, water has now spilled on the Madogo-Garissa Road,” Mwaura stated in a press statement.
“Although the road remains passable, the increased water levels pose challenges and we advise motorists to be very vigilant and adhere to subsequent alerts.
Meanwhile, two of the three damaged sections of the Garsen-Lamu road have been rock-filled by Kenya National Highways Authority. The repair of the third section is ongoing and is estimated to be complete in approximately one week before the road can be fully opened for use.”
The situation escalated as Tana River’s water levels surged from 3.4m to 4.8m over the weekend, resulting in water spilling onto the Madogo-Garissa Road. Although the road remains passable, heightened water levels pose challenges, prompting a warning for motorists to exercise caution.
Meanwhile, the Kenya National Highways Authority has rock-filled two of the three damaged sections of the Garsen-Lamu road, with repairs on the third section estimated to conclude within a week.
In response to the crisis, the government has mobilized National Youth Service (NYS) and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) trucks to Wajir and Mandera counties to replenish essential supplies, including food, non-food items, and medicine. Helicopters from the National Police Service (NPS) will resume airlifting relief supplies in Tana River and Lamu counties. Additionally, a World Food Programme (WFP) plane stationed in Garissa will relocate to Wajir County to facilitate last-mile distribution efforts.
As the meteorological forecast predicts continued rainfall until January 2024, the South Coast, particularly Kilifi County, is expected to experience heavy rainfall between December 19 and 23, 2023.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announced the government had set aside Sh10 million to manage the effects of El Nino, especially in the Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) areas.
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