Over 700 families displaced by raging floods in Kisumu

Homes marooned by floods in Nyakach. Over 700 families have been displaced after heavy rains left a trail of destruction. [Onesmus Baraka, Standard] More than 700 families have been displaced as floods swept through several villages in Nyando and Nyakach in Kisumu County. Saturday, the government warned of the likelihood of floods affecting some parts of the country following the current heavy rains across the country. In Nyando, 400 residents of Kakola, Kochogo, and Wawidhi locations have been forced to seek refuge in various evacuation centres in the area while others are being hosted by relatives living in safer areas. According to Nyando Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner Richard Maranga, the three locations are the worst affected by the floods. "The floods have caught up with us yet again and we're already dealing with a catastrophic situation. Our most affected areas include Kakola where 200 households have been marooned in water. Others are Wawidhi and Kochogo," Maranga said. In the Nyando belt, several families are seeking refuge at Ombaka secondary school, Ahero Assistant County Commissioner's office, Riat market, and Ebenezer Academy. In Nyakach Sub-County, at least 2800 hectares of farmland were swept away by floods after River Miriu broke its bank and left a trail of destruction. According to West Nyakach location area chief Seth Agwanda who confirmed the incident, 300 hundred residents from Kadiang'a and Nyong'ong'a sub-locations were displaced. According to Upper Nyakach Assistant County Commissioner Darwin Orina, efforts are ongoing to rally support from various government departments to help the locals cope with the flooding menace that has hit the area. Maurice Owino, a resident of Sango claimed that he lost everything after flash floods swept through his home. "My home is still marooned in floods after river Miriu broke its banks," he said. His neighbour, Maureen Apiyo, a mother of three was only able to rescue a few clothes from her house."It is a difficult moment for us as a family. We have sought refuge at a church but life is challenging because I lost even foodstuffs," she said. In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Interior said, if the ongoing heavy downpours escalates, North Eastern, South Eastern, Coast, Central and South Rift Valley regions are likely to experience devastating floods. Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the floods are expected to subside next week. He said the government has initiated evacuation in already affected areas This follows heavy rainfall resulting in "isolated cases of flooding" in counties in the Lake Victoria Basin and North Western regions. "Evacuation is ongoing in areas such as Kapuothe, Nanga, Lower Katuoro, Wigwa, and part of Dunga in Kisumu Central Sub-county where about 200 households have been affected and approximately 100 acres of crops washed away," "A total of 47 households are being hosted at Nanga Primary School and are receiving humanitarian support from the State Department for Special Programmes and Red Cross and other agencies," he added. In Kisumu East Sub-county, one of the most affected areas so far, Omollo said, a total of 140 households have been affected by floods in Onjweru, Kanyawade, Kaloo, Kodie, Awuor Ajwang', Kodeyo, Alara, Kowuore, Kabuong Kanyawade, Kamiendi and part of Kachola villages. Similarly, hundreds of families have been displaced in Ahero town after River Nyando broke its banks, sweeping through residential villages and stalls with the town. Nyando Deputy County Commissioner Elijah Maranga, on Friday, reported that an estimated 350 households have been affected, with the number expected to increase, cautiously assuring the residents that Ahero Bridge along the Kisumu-Nairobi highway remains passable. "The road is currently passable, but we fear that with continued rains, there will be an overflow on the Ahero bridge affecting transport. We urge residents to remain vigilant and relocate to higher grounds to avoid loss of lives and property destruction," Maranga said. PS Omollo noted that Disaster response teams coordinated by the National Government AdministrationOfficers are monitoring the situation in various parts of the country and providing support to those affected. "Residents of flood-prone areas who may be temporarily relocated for their safety are urged to cooperate with these response teams," he stated.

Over 700 families displaced by raging floods in Kisumu

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