Local sources from Kenya: The Guardian, Al Jazeera English.
UK coverage: Al Jazeera English.
At least 40 people have died in Kenya after a dam burst, bringing the death toll from recent floods to over 120. The incident occurred in the southern town of Mai Mahiu, where flash floods have also caused casualties. The heavy rains have filled hydroelectric dams to capacity, posing a threat of downstream overflow. Kenya has been grappling with chaotic conditions as heavy rains continue to lash East Africa, exacerbating the seasonal rainfall. The government has delayed the start of the new school term by a week due to the severe effects of the floods.
According to a report from The Guardian, the flooding in Kenya has claimed the lives of 76 people since March. The government has warned residents to brace for even heavier rainfall. Flash floods have submerged roads and neighborhoods, displacing more than 130,000 people across 24,000 households, with Nairobi being the most impacted. The Seven Forks hydropower project along the Tana river is at total capacity, and there is a prediction of a massive overflow downstream within the next 24 hours. Residents in these areas are advised to move to higher grounds.
Al Jazeera English reports that the death toll from the flooding in Kenya has climbed to 70 since mid-March. Over 120,000 people have been displaced, and 22 others have been injured, with eight reported missing. The government has proposed 3.3 billion Kenyan shillings for an initial emergency response, including repairing infrastructure, emergency housing, and food assistance. The flooding has also affected 64 public schools in Nairobi. Despite this, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has stated that the schools will reopen as scheduled following the mid-term holidays this month.
The heavy rains and flooding in Kenya are part of a larger regional issue. Tanzania has also been severely affected, with at least 155 people killed in flooding and landslides. In Burundi, about 96,000 people have been displaced by months of relentless rain. Somalia is experiencing intensifying rains, with flash floods reported, and Uganda has suffered heavy storms causing riverbanks to burst. Late last year, the region was hit by torrential rains and floods, following a severe drought, resulting in the deaths of over 300 people.
As the heavy rains continue to lash East Africa, the situation remains dire. The government and humanitarian agencies are working to provide emergency assistance and mitigate the impact of the floods. The affected residents are urged to stay on alert and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
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