At least 40 people were killed when a dam collapsed in western Kenya early Monday, flooding homes and cutting off a main road with a wall of water, police said.
Superintendent of Police Stephen Kirui said the collapse of the Old Kijabe Dam in the Mai Mahiu area of the Rift Valley region, which is prone to flash floods, caused water to overflow Downstream, bringing mud, rocks and uprooted trees.
Vehicles on the road were tangled in debris and ambulance crews treated the injured as floodwaters inundated large areas.
rainfall in kenya The resulting flooding has killed nearly 100 people and delayed the opening of schools. Heavy rains have been pummeling the country since mid-March, and the meteorological department has warned that rainfall will increase.
Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki ordered inspections of all public and private dams and reservoirs within 24 hours starting Monday afternoon. The ministry said recommendations for evacuation and relocation will be made following the inspection.
The Kenya National Highways Authority has warned motorists to be prepared for traffic jams and debris blocking roads.
The wider East African region is Encountered floods Because of heavy rain. At least 155 people have been reported dead in Tanzania, with more than 200,000 people affected in neighboring Burundi.
The Kenya Red Cross said it had rescued 23 people after a boat capsized in Kenya’s Garissa county on Sunday night, but more than a dozen were still missing.
Kenya’s main airport was flooded on Saturday, forcing some flights to be rerouted. Videos shared online showed runways, terminals and cargo areas being flooded.
More than 200,000 people across the country have been hit by floods, with homes in flood-prone areas submerged and people taking shelter in schools.
President William Ruto has directed the National Youth Service to provide land as a temporary camp for those affected.
