At least 35 individuals have perished, while several more remain unaccounted for, as a dam breached and devastated Southern Kenya after days of persistent downpours across East Africa’s nations left at minimum hundreds affected by floodwaters that swept away homes and vehicles. The incident occurred near Mai Mahiu in Nakuru County, where rescue teams are currently digging through the mud and debris attempting to locate survivors while warning that further casualties may arise due to the ongoing disaster. This tragedy follows weeks of torrential rainfall which has led to catastrophic flash floods across Kenya since March, resulting in at least 103 deaths as well as thousands forced from their homes by flooding, according to government spokesperson Isaac Maigua Mwaura’s recent announcement on Monday.
In Mai Mahiu, Governor Susan Kihika has revealed that the situation is critical and overwhelming due to floodwaters carrying away people and houses while also damaging infrastructure such as roads. The area had been cut off from heavy rainfall in previous weeks, making it challenging for rescue teams attempting to reach survivors or recover bodies. Several individuals were reportedly taken to a nearby health facility following the flash flooding affecting Kamuchiri village according to reports by Kenya Red Cross Society.
The floodwaters are said to have originated from an overflowing river in the region, as heavy rainfall has battered East Africa since mid-March. According to International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Secretary General Jagan Chapagain’s recent statement on X regarding this disaster crisis triggered by El Niño’s impact upon weather worldwide, “Kenya is facing a worsening flood crisis due to the combined effects of El Niño and March-May 2024 long rains.” Since November last year, devastating flooding and river overflows caused more than one hundred deaths and substantial damage as well.
Images shared from Nairobi demonstrate that flashfloods have led individuals to strand themselves on rooftops or salvage what they can from homes destroyed by the disaster. Furthermore, footage revealed large areas surrounding Tana River inundated with water while roads, buildings, and vehicles are submerged as a result of ongoing flooding affecting several parts of Kenya since March 2023. The Ministry of Education has postponed starting classes for one week until May 6 due to the situation’s severity according to recent statements by authorities on Sunday in response to the unfolding disaster.
Meanwhile, heavy rains have also affected Tanzania and Burundi as at least 155 individuals were reportedly killed by flooding across Tanzania since Thursday last week based upon a statement from Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa’s office. The IFRC Secretary General furthermore mentioned that floodwaters had already impacted over three hundred people in the region during March alone, as rescue teams continue to provide aid and assistance where possible amidst ongoing challenges presented by persistent heavy rainfall across East Africa.
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