Tragedy Strikes as Dam Burst Claims 50 Lives in Kenya
NAIROBI — A devastating disaster has struck Kenya, claiming the lives of around 50 people after a dam burst its banks due to heavy rains and flooding, as confirmed by a Red Cross official.
Villagers near Mai Mahiu, located approximately 60km (37 miles) from Nairobi, were tragically swept away in their sleep as the rushing waters engulfed their homes.
Efforts to rescue individuals trapped in the mud are ongoing, but fears loom over the possibility of the death toll rising even further.
The recent spate of floods has already claimed over 100 lives in various parts of Kenya over the past month.
The calamity unfolded in the early hours of Monday, as a deafening roar heralded the deluge of water cascading downstream from a burst dam in the Mai Mahiu region.
Residents recount a night of frantic endeavors to save their neighbors from the raging floodwaters and extricate them from the mud.
The Kenya Red Cross has mobilized its resources to aid in the search and rescue operations, with the emergency response manager, Anthony Muchiri, lamenting the unprecedented catastrophe, stating that the death toll has climbed to 50.
“This is the worst disaster I’ve ever encountered in my career,” Muchiri expressed, highlighting the devastating loss of not just homes but the very foundations of people’s lives.
Of the recovered bodies, 17 were identified as children, as reported by police commander Stephen Kirui via Reuters news agency.
Small villages like Kamuchiri and Kianugu bore the brunt of the tragedy, with David Kamau reflecting on the unprecedented devastation, “We have never seen such catastrophic floods since our time here in Mai Mahiu.”
Another resident, Peter Muhoho, shared the harrowing experience of witnessing most of his neighbors swept away in Kianugu, a village comprising around 18 homes.
As the community grapples with the aftermath, concerns over shelter and basic necessities heighten, with many left homeless and destitute.
The government’s decision to postpone the reopening of schools across the nation in light of anticipated continued rainfall underscores the gravity of the situation.
With over 130,000 people displaced by the floods, makeshift shelters in schools have become a refuge for many affected individuals.
Neighboring countries like Tanzania and Burundi have also borne the brunt of the relentless rains, with significant casualties reported.
The intricate weather patterns, including the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), play a pivotal role in exacerbating the intensity of the rains, leading to widespread devastation and loss of life.
As the region grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the memory of past calamities serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for disaster preparedness and mitigation measures.
