Over 20,000 households in Mandera County have been compelled to evacuate their residences due to continuous heavy rainfall, persisting for more than 36 hours. The downpour has triggered massive flooding, submerging houses, uprooting trees, and paralyzing normal life. The floods have wreaked havoc in several areas, including Mandera East, Mandera West, Mandera North, Mandera South, Kiliwaheri, Arabia, and Lafey sub-counties, affecting more than 25 locations across 11 wards. Notable among the affected areas are Khalalio, Neboi, Township, Libihiya, Rhamu, Elwak North, Elwak South, Shimbir Fatuma, Alungu Lafey, and Fino. Mohamed Yussuf, the MCA in Khalalio, Mandera East, has urgently called on humanitarian agencies, including the Kenya Red Cross, to expedite their rescue efforts before the situation deteriorates further. Roads have become impassable, businesses have ceased operations, and residential neighborhoods, particularly Darika Village in Khalalio, Mandera East, have been engulfed by water, leading to the displacement of numerous residents. Darika Village has suffered the most significant impact, with homes and a substantial number of livestock perishing. Residents have been forced to seek refuge on higher ground as their village remains marooned. Another area in urgent need of intervention is Elwak in Mandera South, where many buildings have been isolated by the flood waters. The floods have disrupted the lives of students doing KCSE exams, as flooded roads and schools have severely impeded their access to education. The calamity has spared neither educational institution, significantly impacting the learning process for local students and hindering their education. A total of 47 schools, including 37 primary schools and 10 secondary schools, were submerged. Furthermore, 69 toilets and 48 classrooms collapsed, affecting a total of 1,321 students, including 830 boys and 491 girls, who are currently sitting for exams. Mandera County Commissioner, Amos Mariba, has assured residents of the government’s unwavering commitment to providing essential services and ensuring that the affected students successfully complete their exams. A report released by the Disaster Response Committee, chaired by Mariba, reveals that the devastating floods have claimed seven lives, three in Elwak town and four in Mandera East. Mustafa Adan has confirmed that the Kenya Red Cross in Mandera County is prepared to distribute both food and non-food items to all affected residents throughout the entire county. Livestock losses have also been reported, although the exact numbers remain uncertain, further complicating the crisis. Displaced families are struggling to cope as most of their belongings were swept away by the rains. Livelihoods have been severely affected due to the poor road network, cutting off approximately 9,405 farmers actively cultivating 10,336 hectares of irrigated farmland from BP-1 to Malka Mario. Of these, 2,357 hectares were impacted by river floods, causing substantial losses to crops such as horticultural produce (watermelons, onions, pawpaw, bananas, vegetables, and cereals, as well as fodder). In areas like Koromey, Banyole, and Chachane, farmers have reported significant losses as their farms were completely submerged. A total of 3,657 dryland farmers from agro-pastoral and pastoral livelihood zones, benefiting from enhanced rainfall, have been affected too. According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, the county is expected to experience heavy rains, exceeding 120mm, until the end of January 2024, thereby causing panic amongst distressed villagers.

Source: Kenya News Agency