Kenya Coast Guard deployed to rescue marooned residents in Tana River

On Saturday, the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) deployed personnel for the mass evacuation of residents stranded off Wema in Tana River due to extensive torrential flooding. Major roads in the area have been declared impassable, prompting the deployment of KCGS personnel with boats for the rescue mission.

KCGS Director General Bruno Shioso stated that they had already rescued dozens of people, and the operation would continue. "We are working with other agencies to ensure no more lives are lost," he said.

Simultaneously, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) announced the temporary closure of the Garsen-Witu-Lamu Road due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall. The road section from Lango la Simba to Idsowe Bridge in Gamba is completely submerged, making it impassable. KeNHA urged road users on that route to suspend their journeys until water levels subside and an assessment can determine the road's passability.

The ongoing heavy rains, intensified by the El Nino phenomenon, have led to the bursting of the River Tana's banks, resulting in widespread flooding. The rains have already caused more than 146 deaths and displaced numerous individuals in the county.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo provided an update on Thursday, stating that the number of households displaced remains at 92,432, comprising 462,160 persons. The affected regions include Garissa, Tana River, Mombasa, Isiolo, and Mandera. The situation has prompted collaborative efforts from various agencies to address the humanitarian crisis caused by the El Nino floods.

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