KENYA: Heavy Rains, Floods displaces thousands in southeast
Pastor Dale Morgan
KENYA: Heavy Rains, Floods displaces thousands in southeast*
17 Jun 2008 08:22:14 GMT
Source: IRIN
TANA, 17 June 2008 (IRIN) - Thousands of people have been displaced in
the Tana Delta District on the Kenyan coast following heavy rain over
the past few days, according to a senior official with the provincial
administration.
"The floods have also submerged crops and the situation could get worse
if the River Tana bursts its banks," District Commissioner Charles
Monari said on 16 June.
At least 2,000 families have been forced to abandon their homes and
farms for higher ground to avoid being marooned by the flood waters,
Monari said.
The worst hit areas included Mnazini, Tarassa, Konamasa and Chara, with
some 2,000 families affected in the latter two places.
Overflowing pit latrines were posing a risk of waterborne diseases, he said.
The floods have also hit road transport, stranding several trucks
belonging to the Kenya Red Cross which were taking relief supplies to
the affected families.
Public transport from the district to parts of the neighbouring district
of Lamu and North Eastern Province had also been cut.
The Ministry of Special Programmes has sent a team to the area to assess
the situation.