Images of devastating effects caused by floods in West Pokot on Saturday when more than 30 people killed and dozens displaced. /KENYA RED CROSS.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 6- Residents living near Masinga Dam have been urged to move to higher grounds following a warning that it may break its banks by Sunday due to the heavy rains.
Water Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui said the dam is remaining with only 1.28 metres to fill up.
He called on the relevant government agencies to help people in moving to safer areas to avoid loss of lives and property.
“The levels as at 7am today (Friday), Masinga dam was left with only 1.28 metres to fill up and this will be achieved by Sunday if the rain continues with the same intensity,” Chelugui told a news conference in Nairobi where he also cautioned people living around Kamburu, Kiambere, Gitaru and Kindaruma dams to take precautions.
“The people living around those areas are therefore notified to move to higher grounds and adhere to relevant flood alerts given through various media channels and community forums to avoid the loss of of lives, property, the spread of water-borne diseases and loss of biodiversity,” Chelugui said.
The CS also issued a warning to residents of Green Park Estate and Seefar Apartments saying they may be affected if the rains continue.
The National Water Plan 2030 has identified 21 flood-prone areas in the country, with 15 considered more vulnerable.
They include, Nyando, Awach Kano, Sondu, Yala swamp, Lower Nzoia, Narok, Nairobi, Lower Lumi, Lower Sabaki, Lower Tana, Mandera, Rumuruti, Isiolo, Lower Perkerra, Turkan and Tana River Stretch.
Water Resources Authority (WRA) Chairperson Joe Mutambo said they have started the process of decommissioning dams that are deemed dangerous.
“We are inspecting all the public and private dams and we will decommission all the weak dams,” he said.
Kenya is among countries in East Africa experiencing heavy downpour, with a warning from the Kenya Meteorological Department of more rains in the coming days.
According to the meteorological department, some areas are expected to receive more than 50mm include Kisii, Narok, Nyeri and Nakuru Counties.
It cautioned that the heavy rains are likely to cause flooding in low lying areas and mudslides in Mt. Kenya region and hilly areas of Western Kenya.
Dozens of families have been left homeless after their homes were swept away by floods in different parts of the country, the worst being the recent landslide in West Pokot County where more than 40 people died and many more displaced.
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