Tragedy Strikes: Dam Burst in Kenya Leaves 35 Dead and Dozens Missing
In a devastating turn of events, at least 35 people have lost their lives and dozens are unaccounted for following a dam burst in southern Kenya. The catastrophe, which occurred amidst weeks of relentless heavy rains and destructive flash floods, has left homes destroyed and vehicles swept away.
Search and rescue teams are tirelessly sifting through the mud and debris in a desperate attempt to locate survivors near Mai Mahiu, located in Kenya’s Nakuru County. Governor Susan Kihika, in an interview with CNN, expressed grave concern as she warned that the death toll may climb significantly in the coming days.
With large portions of Kenya submerged under floodwaters, the country has already witnessed the loss of at least 103 lives and the displacement of thousands of residents since March, according to government spokesperson Isaac Maigua Mwaura.
Speaking about the situation in Mai Mahiu, Kihika described a scene of chaos and devastation as floodwaters mercilessly swept away people and homes. “We are trying to get a handle on the situation but it’s a bit overwhelming but we’re doing the best we can especially to reach those who have been carried away because we hope that some are still alive,” Kihika stated.
Accessing Mai Mahiu has proven to be challenging due to road closures caused by the heavy rains. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to clear debris and reach survivors, as well as retrieve bodies from the disaster site.
The Kenya Red Cross Society reported that several individuals were rushed to a health facility in Mai Mahiu as a result of flash floods affecting Kamuchiri village. The sudden surge of floodwaters originated from a nearby river that had breached its banks.
Kenya’s ordeal with heavy rainfall, exacerbated by the El Niño climate pattern and the ongoing March-May 2024 long rains, has left a trail of destruction in its wake. With over 131,450 people affected by the floods across the country, the situation remains dire.
Images and videos from Nairobi depict the harrowing scenes of individuals stranded on rooftops and salvaging belongings from homes ravaged by the flash floods. The Tana River region is also heavily impacted, with vast expanses underwater and infrastructure submerged.
As a precautionary measure, the Ministry of Education announced a one-week postponement of the start of the new school term until May 6 for all primary and secondary schools in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Red Cross Society continues its rescue operations, with 23 individuals saved and others still missing after a boat capsized at Kona Punda while en route to Mororo, Tana River County.
The devastating effects of the heavy rains have not been limited to Kenya alone, as neighboring countries such as Tanzania and Burundi have also felt the impact. Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa reported at least 155 fatalities due to flooding in Tanzania, underscoring the widespread destruction caused by the ongoing natural disaster. — CNN
