State issues urgent evacuation order as Kiambere Dam overflows, flood fears rise in Lower Tana
Heavy and prolonged rains over the Mt Kenya and Aberdare catchment areas have caused the dam to exceed its full supply level, creating a high risk for communities in low-lying areas.
The government has issued an urgent evacuation order to residents living downstream of Kiambere Dam as fears of serious flooding grow.
Heavy and prolonged rains over the Mt Kenya and Aberdare catchment areas have caused the dam to exceed its full supply level, creating a high risk for communities in low-lying areas.
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Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, in a statement on Friday, said the dam, which is the last reservoir in the Seven Forks hydropower cascade, has reached dangerous levels.
“We hereby issue an immediate voluntary evacuation directive to all communities living downstream of the multipurpose reservoir,” he said.
The PS said residents in Garissa, Hola, Garsen and the broader Lower Tana River basin are at greatest risk and must move to higher ground without delay.
With more rainfall expected between May 16 and May 20, Omollo said the government has activated emergency response teams in partnership with KenGen, the National Disaster Operations Centre and local disaster committees.
Prepare temporary shelters
“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 officials have been directed to prepare temporary shelters in public schools, churches and designated government buildings.
Public health officers are also mobilising humanitarian aid to provide quick support and safe refuge for families forced to leave their homes.
In a related alert, Garissa and Tana River counties have also been put on high alert following the overflow of Masinga Dam. Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira said the dam’s water level had reached 1,057.15 meters above sea level, which is above its safe capacity of 1,056.5 meters.
“Inflows into the dam had reached 253.81 cubic meters per second,” Wachira said on Thursday.
He warned that continued rainfall could make the situation worse.
PS Wachira confirmed that emergency response protocols have been activated in coordination with government agencies and local authorities.
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