Kenya: Dam bursts in Rift Valley May 10 /update 8

Event

As of Thursday, May 10, at least 41 people have reportedly died after heavy rains caused the Patel Dam in Soali (Nakuru county) to burst on the night of Wednesday, May 9. The flooding forced the evacuation of at least 2000 residents. According to police officials, hundreds of homes within a 2 km (1.2 mi) radius around the dam were also destroyed. Rescue efforts are ongoing as of Thursday to locate missing people who may have been by is flood waters or mud. The Kenya Red Cross (KRCS) said that around 40 people were rescued on May 10. Authorities also announced that six other dams in the area will be investigating to determine their stability.

Additional flooding is possible as heavy rains are forecast in western and central parts of the country in the coming days. The Kenyan meteorological service has warned residents in Nairobi that flash floods are possible between May 10 and Sunday, May 13.

Context

According to Kenyan officials, almost 170 people have died nationwide since the start of the flooding in March. Hundreds of thousands of others have also been displaced since the rainy season began.

Kenya typically experiences a rainy season beginning in late April and lasting until early June. The rains arrived early this year (in March); meteorologists believe that this is the result of the Madden-Julian Oscillation, an eastward-moving low-pressure system that carries clouds and rain around tropical regions over a 30- to 60-day period.

Advice

Individuals present in affected areas are advised to keep abreast of the situation, avoid areas directly hit by flooding, and adhere to any orders issued by the local authorities (e.g. evacuation orders). Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded. Be aware that the risk of contracting water- and mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, chikungunya, dengue fever, yellow fever, and the Zika virus, tends to rise after periods of heavy rains; take measures to protect yourself from mosquito bites (use insect repellent, mosquito nets, etc.) and only consume purified water.