KATHMANDU: Since March, floods and landslides in Kenya have claimed the lives of 181 individuals, with hundreds of thousands displaced from their homes, as reported by the government and the Red Cross on Wednesday. The devastation has also spread to neighbouring Tanzania and Burundi, where additional casualties have been reported. The torrential rain and resulting floods have wreaked havoc on homes, roads, bridges, and other vital infrastructure throughout the region, surpassing the death toll from similar floods triggered by the El Nino weather phenomenon last year.
In Mai Mahiu, a central Kenyan town where flash floods claimed the lives of at least 48 people on Monday, recovery efforts continue. Despite challenges, including the recovery of two bodies from debris on Wednesday, search operations persist with the assistance of military personnel and sniffer dogs. According to government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, the death toll has climbed to 179, indicating the magnitude of the disaster.
Last year's rains followed a severe drought in many parts of East Africa, exacerbating the impact of the current flooding. In Kitengela, near Nairobi, Kenya Red Cross workers are aiding in the rescue of residents stranded by floodwaters, while efforts are underway to assist tourists trapped in Narok, over 200 km away. The situation has prompted the closure of major roads, including a section of the highway leading to Nairobi, by Kenya's national highways authority due to flooding and debris.
The disaster has drawn international attention, with Pope Francis expressing sympathy for the people of Kenya during a Vatican audience. Additionally, the White House extended condolences to the victims' families, reaffirming the United States' commitment to supporting response efforts through the US Agency for International Development (USAID). As the situation unfolds, the US administration remains vigilant and ready to provide assistance to those affected by the ongoing crisis.
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