Amid Heavy Rains and Flooding, Dam Collapse in Western Kenya Kills At Least 40 People

Nairobi: A dam collapsed in western Kenya early Monday, killing at least 40 people after a wall of water swept through houses and cut off a major ro, police said. Old Kijabe Dam, located in Mai Mahiu area of Great Rift Valley region that is prone to flash floods, collapsed and water spilt downstream, police official Stephen Kirui told Associated Press.

Ongoing rains in Kenya have caused flooding that has alrey killed nearly 100 people and caused opening of schools to be postponed.

Heavy rains have been pounding country since mid-March and Meteorology Department has warned of more rainfall.

East African region is experiencing flooding due to heavy rains, and 155 people have reportedly died in Tanzania while more than 200,000 people are affected in neighbouring Burundi.

Kenya’s main airport was flooded on Saturday, forcing some flights to be diverted, as videos of a flooded runway, terminals and cargo section were shared online.

More than 200,000 people across Kenya have been affected by floods, with houses in flood-prone areas submerged and people seeking refuge in schools. President William Ruto h instructed National Youth Service to provide land for use as a temporary camp for those affected.