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Tana River floods: 20 people stranded in Madogo call for urgent evacuation

Red Cross workers wade through floods in North Eastern Kenya in September 2023. (Photo: Handout)

By Abdimalik Hajir | Tuesday, April 30, 2024

KDF confirmed deploying a Kenya Navy team of divers and marines to the site of the tragedy to assist in recovering the missing bodies.

At least 20 people currently stranded in CDC farms, Tana River County, are pleading for urgent evacuation.

Speaking to Eastleigh Voice, they revealed that they have been trapped in a small area just 40 meters away from the floods for the past six days.

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"When the floods began, we hoped they would recede with time, but instead, we found ourselves surrounded by floodwaters," Ibrahim Abdi Noor said in a phone interview.

The location is approximately 20km from Madogo Town.

Despite reaching out to local chiefs and attempting to contact emergency services at 112, they have received no assistance.

"We were informed that help was on the way, but we are yet to see any sign of it. We are extremely frightened because we have consumed our last available food," Ibrahim said.

The 45-year-old Ibrahim said that all those trapped in the farms were farm workers desperately calling for immediate assistance.

He urged the government or any relevant agency to swiftly come to their aid.

"We have families who are deeply concerned about our situation, and we are also uncertain if the water level will continue to rise," he added.

While the Kenya Red Cross has acknowledged receiving distress calls, they stated that their resources are stretched following the Mororo boat tragedy.

Their two boats have been engaged in search and rescue operations since the boat tragedy. Thus far, seven bodies have been recovered.

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) confirmed deploying a Kenya Navy team of divers and marines to the site of the tragedy to assist in recovering the missing bodies.

"The Kenya Navy divers conducted a comprehensive assessment of the flooded area this evening and will launch an operation to retrieve the remaining 13 bodies," they announced in a social media statement.

KDF assured that the Kenya Navy remains ready to provide aid and support to civil authorities during emergencies or disasters.