At least 40 people were confirmed dead, with several others still missing, after a dam burst in a town north of Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. The dam collapsed following heavy rains across the country, local police said, on Monday.
Naivasha Police Commander, Stephen Kirui, said that the Police recovered 40 bodies from the debris on Monday.
A major search and rescue operation is ongoing in the Mai Mahiu area, about 60 kilometres north of Nairobi, after a nearby river overflowed due to flash floods.
“We have collected 40 bodies so far and mud had covered many more. Floodwater submerged many,” Kirui said on site.
The Kenya Red Cross Society said the floodwaters originated from a nearby river that burst its banks on Sunday night.
“Rescue team have taken several people to a health facility in Mai Mahiu due to flash floods affecting Kamuchiri Village,” it added.
Local officials said casualties could rise as the search and rescue operation continues, noting that many people remain missing.
Kirui said emergency responders rushed more than 100 people to the hospital following the tragedy.
Challenging terrain where water raged through were hampering rescue missions.
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The Kenya National Highways Authority reported that the incident had cut off the major road from Nairobi to Mai Mahiu after heaps of rocks, mud and logs were deposited there.
Kenyan authorities issued a warning, on Sunday, about more deaths and property damage following devastating floods across the nation.
According to the Police, more than 90 people have died since March. There are concerns that the actual number could be higher as many bodies remain missing.
Government Spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura, said the heavy downpour has affected all 47 counties. The floods have displaced 24,196 households, comprising 131,450 people.
The meteorological department has forecasted continued rainfall across several parts of the country. This is more than 40 counties expect to receive heavy rainfall in coming days.
Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, announced that the government has allocated four billion shillings (about $30 million) for immediate response to the rain’s impact.
The devastating floods are exacerbating the country’s humanitarian crisis, following the El Nino floods in late 2023.
El Nino floods killed at least 178 people, injured 242 and displaced thousands. (Xinhua)
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