Dam burst in Kenya leaves 40 dead
Over 40 people have been killed after a dam burst in Nakuru County in Kenya, according to an official.
Area Governor Susan Kihika said that according to initial assessments following the tragic incident, over 40 people have been killed as of now.
The accident happened in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County, located approximately 60km (37 miles) northwest of the capital Nairobi.
Authorities say the catastrophic event unfolded on Monday morning after heavy rains, triggering a surge of water that engulfed nearby villages, sweeping away homes, and leaving many individuals unaccounted for.
Rescue operations are underway despite challenges posed by persistent heavy rainfall in the region. The accident has caused a massive traffic jam in the area.
According to CNN, dozens of others have gone missing after the dam burst and the rescue teams have been digging
through the mud and debris trying to find the survivors near Mai Mahiu in Kenya’s Nakuru County,
Susan Kihika, the Governor of Nakuru County, warned that the death toll could increase significantly. The incident comes at a time when 103 people have been killed due to flooding in Kenya and forcing thousands of resi
dents to evacuate from their homes since March, according to government spokesperson Isaac Maigua Mwaura, CNN reported.
Susan Kihika stressed a serious situation was unfolding in Mai Mahiu as floodwaters in Kenya swept away people and houses. She said: “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 said access to Mai Mahiu had been difficult as part of the road had been cut off from recent heavy rains. Teams have been involved in clearing debris as they try to reach survivors and pull out bodies.
On Monday, the Kenya Red Cross Society said several people were rushed to a health facility in Mai Mahiu due to the flash floods impacting Kamuchiri village. The group said: “The floodwaters are reported to have originated from a nearby river that broke its banks.”
Kenya witnessed heavy rain since mid-march. However, downpours have intensified over the past week, resulting in mass flooding, according to CNN report. In a post on X, IFRC Secretary General and CEO Jagan Chapagain stated: “Kenya is facing a worsening flood crisis due to the combined effects of El Nino and the ongoing MarchMay 2024 long rains.”
Chapagain added: “Since November 2023, El Nino triggered devastating floods and river overflows, causing more than a hundred deaths and widespread damage.” Some 131,450 people have been impacted as floods swept through almost half of Kenya.