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Red Cross warns Garissa residents as floods intesify

Floodwaters at the Boul Argy Primary School in Garissa town as pictured on May 6, 2024. (Photo: Issa Hussein)

By Issa Hussein | 06 May 2024

County Coordinator Daud Ahmed noted that with the River Tana flooding, more water could flow to parts of Garissa and Tana River counties.

The Kenya Red Cross Society has issued a warning to Garissa County residents as heavy rains continue, asking them to move away from flood-prone areas.

County Coordinator Daud Ahmed noted that with the River Tana flooding, more water could flow to parts of Garissa and Tana River counties.

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On Monday, flash floods submerged a section of the Garissa Police Station and more residential houses in Garissa town.

"We are witnessing a surge in the river floods as heavy rains continued in the central part of Kenya. Don't wait for the floods to come and wash away your valuable properties," Daud warned.

A section of the Garissa-Lamu Road is flooded on May 6, 2024, following heavy rains. (Photo: Issa Hussein)

He urged people in neighbourhoods that have been affected by floods to remain alert and prepare to move, noting that for the past three days, the water has intensified, instead of receding.

Daud further assured displaced persons camping in various parts of the county that the Red Cross would continue providing food and non-food items.

"Today we supported 550 households at Hyuga Girls' Primary School, who received food and non-food items. We are still reaching out to more camps."

Members of the Kenya Red Cross Society distribute food and non-food items to flood-affected Garissa residents at Hyuga Girls' Primary School on May 6, 2024. (Photo: Issa Hussein)

Residents of Garissa town and Mororo in Tana River, who spoke to The Eastleigh Voice, said the water levels were much higher than they had ever witnessed.

Hassan Ali Osman from Bulla Vumbi said his house was submerged and most of his property was destroyed.

"I left the camp this morning to view the condition of my house. I saw the water level rising to the rooftops. We did not witness this during the last El Nino rains," he said.

Yussuf Osman, a trader whose wholesale shop in Mororo was affected, said, "Residential houses and business premises are submerged as the floods continue to intensify. The level is now almost beyond the roofs. This is shocking and sad."

At the Boul Argi centre in Garissa township, the road linking Garissa town to Ijara and Lamu was damaged, and residents said the floodwaters flowed to areas never affected before.

Boul Argi residents committee member Jele Ahmed Hired, 80, said they feared the river would change its course.