Govt orders evacuation as Kiambere Dam nears overflow

Water Resources Authority (WRA) assess Masinga dam on May 19, 2018, to ensure there is stability and safety on the upstream and downstream users of the dam. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

The government has issued an urgent evacuation directive to residents living downstream of Kiambere Dam amid fears of imminent flooding

This follows heavy and prolonged rains over the Mt Kenya and Aberdare catchment areas.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo in a statement on Friday, May 16 warned that the dam, which is the last reservoir in the Seven Forks hydropower cascade, has exceeded its full supply level, raising the risk of widespread flooding.

"We hereby issue an immediate voluntary evacuation directive to all communities living downstream of the multipurpose reservoir," said Omollo.

According to the PS, residents in Garissa, Hola, Garsen, and the broader Lower Tana River basin, are at greatest risk. Communities in those areas are urged to move to higher ground without delay.

With more rain expected between Friday, May 16, and Tuesday, May 20, Omollo said the government, in collaboration with KenGen, the National Disaster Operations Centre, and local disaster response committees, has activated emergency communication and response protocols to manage the evacuation exercise.

"Controlled spillages are being undertaken to safeguard the structural integrity of the reservoirs," he said, adding that the government is deploying all available resources to avert potential loss of life.

Local administrators have been instructed to secure temporary shelters in public schools, churches, and designated government facilities.

Public health officials on the other hand are mobilising humanitarian support mechanisms to provide immediate relief and safe refuge for affected families.