KeNHA closes Nairobi-Garissa Highway over flooding
By Abdirahman Khalif |
Recent heavy rains have caused the Tana River to swell, leading to flooding in the Mororo area, between Madogo and the Tana River Bridge.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has taken the precautionary measure of closing the Nairobi-Garissa (A3) Road due to flooding.
Recent heavy rains have caused the Tana River to swell, leading to flooding in the Mororo area, between Madogo and the Tana River Bridge.
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Heavy rains have continued to pound most parts of Garissa town, exacerbating the situation, and KeNHA has also issued a warning regarding the Seven Folks Dams, which are rapidly approaching full capacity following heavy rains.
The flooding has severely affected one lane of the Nairobi-Garissa (A3) Road, posing significant safety risks to motorists and other road users.
Road Closure
— Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) (@KeNHAKenya) April 8, 2024
1/3 KeNHA informs the public of closure of Nairobi - Garissa (A3) Road due to flooding at Mororo area between Madogo and Tana River Bridge.
The flooding is as a result of the ongoing rains which has occassioned rising water at Tana River. pic.twitter.com/HOV7Jg1lAA
KeNHA said the road will remain closed until the floodwaters recede and the damaged section is repaired. Authorities are on-site to address the washout as soon as conditions allow them to.
The authority has, in the meantime, urged drivers to exercise caution and avoid driving through floodwaters to prevent accidents and further damage to the road.
This is not the first time the area has been affected by flooding. In late November last year, the same section of the road was washed away after the river burst its banks, disrupting the delivery of essential supplies to Garissa.
With Eid-al-Fitr celebrations approaching on Wednesday, residents are concerned that Garissa may face similar challenges if the road remains impassable and if the rains persist.
The situation could worsen if the Seven Folks Dams overflow. The first dam, Masinga, with a full capacity of 1056.50m, needs just 1.56m of water to overflow, while Kiambere, the last dam with a full capacity of 700m is left with just a metre.
According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, heavy rains are expected to continue in many parts of the country, heightening the risk of further flooding and road damage.
In light of these developments, authorities are advising residents to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this period of inclement weather.
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