Recent heavy rains in Kenya have triggered the government to order evacuations for those living near 178 dams and reservoirs. These water bodies are on the brink of overflowing, posing serious risks to nearby residents. People residing within a 30m (98ft) wetland corridor of the Nairobi River were given 24 hours from 18:30 local time on Thursday to vacate the area.
The situation has been exacerbated by severe flooding and landslides across Kenya and Tanzania, claiming at least 188 lives in Kenya since March, with 90 others missing. In Tanzania, 155 people have lost their lives to the floods. The tragedy struck painfully close when a mudslide swept through Kenyan villages near Mai Mahiu, claiming about 50 lives as they slept. Nairobi, the capital, has also been severely affected by the flooding.
The impending arrival of Cyclone Hidaya is expected to further worsen the situation, especially in the coastal regions, with heavy rainfall, large waves, and strong winds predicted to affect marine activities in the Indian Ocean. Nairobi is among the areas expected to be hardest hit by the storm.
To mitigate the effects of the ongoing natural disaster, the Kenyan government has established temporary shelters, providing food and essentials for evacuees at assembly points. However, the evacuation process is advised to begin from 06:00 on Friday, not at night, due to safety concerns.
The government has been criticized for the perceived slow response to the disaster, but President William Ruto's administration has assured that a comprehensive approach involving all government agencies is underway. The cabinet has pledged to implement measures, programs, and policies to mitigate the effects of climate change, which is believed to be a major contributor to the extreme weather conditions.
The heavy rains are attributed in part to the Indian Ocean Dipole, a phenomenon similar to the El Niño in the Pacific, which causes opposing areas of warm and cold surface water. Climate change has exacerbated this, leading to more erratic and severe weather patterns due to increased moisture and energy in the atmosphere.
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