Kenya has issued flood warnings after flooding in the East African nation killed 38 people and displaced more than 11,000.
The Kenya Red Cross Society said that it has so far rescued 180 people from the waters across the country.
Venant Ndigila, who is the head of operations at the Kenyan humanitarian agency, said that the rains have created disasters for Kenyans.
“Humanitarian needs have really emerged in this area. And this is very significant around shelter, where those 11,275 families … can’t use their houses or they have lost their homes,” Ndigila said.
Kenya started experiencing rains in mid-March, but in the past few days the rains have increased in intensity. The Kenya Red Cross Society said that it recorded over 100 millimeters of rain in many parts of the country in the past week, leading to six deaths.
Susan Ubbaga, who lives 300 meters from the Athi River in Machakos County, said the river broke its banks and entered her home.
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“Friday, it really rained a lot, and there were lots of floods, but it was severe from Sunday coming up to Monday morning. The floods were so severe that they reached a height of about five feet,” Ubbaga said. “People are not hurt. Most people have moved to rental houses. They’ve moved out of their houses. And like at my place, we had floods around the house, and … part of the house from the backside was flooded severely.”
More torrential rains are expected in Kenya, which can cause more flooding and the loss of lives and livelihoods.
Ubbaga said that she cannot afford to move out of her house.
“I have just tried to raise my belongings up on the beds, on the table, but I am just ready anytime,” she said. ”If I don’t see the water subsiding, then I will have to move to another town.”
Kenyan officials and humanitarian agencies have since called on the population to avoid flooded areas, move to higher ground and avoid driving when it rains heavily. Similar warnings have been issued in neighboring Somalia, where residents have been urged to avoid areas around the river and plains. Somalia issued alerts in at least eight regions where floods may cause harm, displacement and death.
Story was adapted from the Guardian.
