At least 42 people died in a dam burst near Mai Mahiu in Nakuru county. The incident caused destruction of houses and road blockage. Rescuers are working to recover more bodies from the debris.
Governor’s Statement
- Nakuru governor Susan Kihika stated that the death toll is likely to rise.
- She mentioned that the estimate of 42 dead is conservative.
Total Death Toll
- The total death toll during the March-May wet season reached 120.
- Heavy rainfall, exacerbated by the El Nino weather pattern, has caused widespread flooding.
Kenya Red Cross Response
- The Kenya Red Cross retrieved two bodies from a boat that capsized in flooded Tana River county.
- 23 individuals were rescued from the capsized boat.
Impact on Education
- Due to ongoing heavy rains, the Ministry of Education postponed the reopening of schools by one week.
- Education Minister Ezekiel Machogu cited safety concerns for learners and staff as the reason for the postponement.
Regional Impact
- Tanzania experienced flooding and landslides, resulting in at least 155 fatalities.
- In Burundi, around 96,000 people were displaced due to relentless rains.
- Uganda faced heavy storms causing riverbanks to burst, resulting in casualties and displacements.
Historical Context
- The dam collapse echoes a similar incident in Solai, Nakuru county, six years prior, which claimed 48 lives.
- The 2018 disaster involved a private reservoir on a coffee estate, triggered by torrential rains.
- Last year, the region experienced devastating rains and floods, exacerbating recovery efforts from a severe drought.
Environmental Factors
- The El Nino weather pattern, considered one of the five strongest ever recorded, has contributed to the intensity of the rains and subsequent disasters.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- How many people died in the dam burst near Mai Mahiu in Nakuru county?
- A) 32
- B) 42
- C) 52
- D) 62
- Answer: B) 42
- What reason did Governor Susan Kihika give for estimating the death toll to rise?
- A) Conservative estimate
- B) Intense rainfall
- C) Unstable dam structure
- D) Inadequate rescue efforts
- Answer: A) Conservative estimate
- How many bodies did the Kenya Red Cross retrieve from the capsized boat in Tana River county?
- A) None
- B) One
- C) Two
- D) Three
- Answer: C) Two
- Why did the Ministry of Education postpone the reopening of schools?
- A) Teacher strikes
- B) Ongoing heavy rains
- C) Lack of funding
- D) Outbreak of diseases
- Answer: B) Ongoing heavy rains
- Which weather pattern has exacerbated the heavy rainfall in the region?
- A) La Nina
- B) El Nino
- C) Monsoon
- D) Cyclone
- Answer: B) El Nino