Kenya dams 'a flood risk' after heavy rains
- Published
Two dams in Kenya are close to overflowing because of heavy rains, threatening the lives of thousands of people, the Red Cross has told the BBC.
Abbas Gullet, the head of the Kenya Red Cross, advised people in east and central regions to move to higher ground because of the flood risk.
He said that 200,000 had already been displaced because of flooding, many staying in schools or open areas.
Roads have been submerged under water and there have also been landslides.
The two dams - Masinga and Kamburu - are fed by water from Mount Kenya.
People have been sharing pictures on social media of the aftermath of the flooding, including one of a Red Cross member of staff helping an elderly man in south-eastern Tana River county, where 50,000 have had to leave their homes.
#MondayMotivation One of our staff members going through lengths to rescue those marooned by floodwaters in Tana River County, following heavy rains being experienced in most parts of the country. pic.twitter.com/TEY0sYl4sR
— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) April 23, 2018
The rains have forced President Uhuru Kenyatta to cancel his travel plans to western Kenya, where marooned houses can be seen below. He was due to attend a high-profile conference and has now decided to read his speech via video link.
Reports of families marooned by floodwaters in Ahero, Kisumu, coming in. The Kenya #RedCross together with the county government of Kisumu is responding. pic.twitter.com/oy0yQ3a0dc
— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) April 23, 2018
A drone shot shared by a local TV station shows a damaged section on a major road. It is in Mahi-Mahiu in the south-west where a huge crack that might one day split Africa into two appeared.
The mess that is Narok- Mai Mahiu road. Kenya Police Service advices motorists to drive with caution and obey instructions by Traffic Police. #FloodsKe #NTVNews pic.twitter.com/hH79UZ0itD
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) April 24, 2018
The police posted a picture of this officer directing traffic on a flooded road.
IG @JBoinnet commends Police Constable Abdi Galgalo of Sultan Hamud Police Station captured by a motorist while directing traffic on a flooded section of the Nairobi/Mombasa highway. His action exemplifies the selfless service rendered by many officers to Kenyans each day. pic.twitter.com/vCa5D1nlNh
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) April 23, 2018
This aerial shot of Garissa town, in the north-east of the country where thousands have been displaced, shows the swollen River Tana.
#FloodsKe watch
— Radio Citizen (@RadioCitizenFM) March 20, 2018
River Tana in Garissa town pic.twitter.com/sFS2nHiyAJ
In the capital, Nairobi, one tweeter considered his options for getting home.
My way home every evening. But I have options...
— Martin Tairo (@mmtairo) April 23, 2018
1. Swim across
2. Use the overpass to KQ Pride Centre and drive through a KM of black cotton back to my house
3. Join Outering Rd and drive to Donholm or Umoja then turn back
4. Not go home
Viva Nairobi! pic.twitter.com/of1bNr8dCj
Another Nairobi tweeter sent out a rallying call for the city's residents to snap similar pictures to show the authorities that there is a drainage problem.
Let's document Nairobi's drainage problem using this hashtag 👉 #CityUnderWater. We are tired of Shouting Nairobi Floods, making them think it is an occasional problem.
— LAGALESS 33° 🇸🇴 (@lagaless) April 24, 2018
Drainage is a persistent problem so. #CityUnderWater @KenyanTraffic pic.twitter.com/GzSvebEr3e
And some on social media appreciated that the flood waters had forced motorists to observe traffic rules. The notorious public buses called "matatus" - like the one in the tweet below - are not known for staying in single file.
The law against overlapping has been strictly implemented. 😎 #FloodsKe pic.twitter.com/BAZi4ukn7t
— Mac Otani 🇰🇪 (@MacOtani) April 24, 2018
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