THE level of flood waters in Tana River county is increasing every day and there are fears that families that did not move to higher grounds may be swept away. Due to heavy rains Tana broke its bunks displacing thousands of people and cutting off main roads. Since Saturday the Kenya Red Cross officials have conducted evacuation missions in after five villages were completely marooned leaving residents stranded. Yesterday Red Cross officials evacuated three of the villages.
Victims fear an outbreak of disease and lack of food. Kenya Red Cross official in the Coast Michael Alyabei said if the water levels increase the floods will move to the lower Tana. He said they have already managed to rescues 46 households including 59 children, 24 women at Mawaela and Kiwalani villages. “We were also able to track 35 families who crossed over to Masalani from Kiembeni village which was swept away by floods on Sunday,” he said. Alyabei said those successfully evacuated will be taken to higher grounds and given mosquito nets, blankets, water purifiers.
He said some of the victims particularly farmers were reluctant to move to safety claiming they will lose their crops to animals. “A lot of farms have been covered and the water is nearing households, we fear that as the water level rises all houses will be swept away,” he said. He asked the government and well-wishers to donate food for the flood victims. One of the Victims Said Mardhadho a farmer at Sangambore village said he was not ready to move to higher grounds because he has maize growing on his farm. “If we are moved to higher ground life will be so difficult to begin from scratch with my family,’’ he said.
Amina Hiribae another victim said they feared a major epidemic because of the floods as there was no clean water. The floods situation has affected most parts of the country and reports indicate that the effects could be felt more in the near future as the rains are still causing disaster.