storm
Number of deaths after floods in Kenya rises
Residents rescue their belongings after heavy rains in Nairobi’s Mathare slums. photo
© Joy Nabukewa/XinHua/dpa
The partially flooded metropolis of Nairobi is expecting further heavy rain. The number of victims is increasing. In other parts of the country, overflowing dams are causing concern.
The death toll rose to 83, local media reported, citing a government spokesman. In the afternoon, the government spokesman spoke of 76 deaths. More than 24,000 households with more than 131,000 people have been displaced. The government set up a crisis center and promised support and accommodation for those affected.
The heavy rain led to flash floods in many parts of Nairobi. Roads and bridges were affected. The Athi River, which flows near the capital, also overflowed its banks. Images of flooded roads with severe traffic jams circulated on social media and the country’s mass media. In a serious accident, several people died on board a truck that overturned while trying to cross a river. By Sunday, nine bodies had been recovered from the river and eleven more people had been rescued, according to the Kenya Red Cross.
The situation is also getting worse at the major dams in the country with around 56 million inhabitants, including the Seven Forks dam system on the Tana, the longest river in Kenya. All dams in the system are at full capacity and a massive overflow downstream is predicted, the government spokesman warned. Lowland residents were asked to move to higher ground. The government has published a toll-free emergency number. There were also fears that the floods could lead to an outbreak of disease.
The rains had also led to flooding at the country’s main airport in Nairobi. Some flights had to be diverted at the weekend due to the rain and poor visibility.