By Dorothy Musyoka
The National and Kilifi County government working with disaster management agencies have lined up measures to mitigate against possible flooding especially along the River Sabaki following heavy rains.
Stakeholders from the Magarini Sub County Disaster Risk Management Committee under led by the Deputy County Commissioner Micahel Ololtua said that the area which is currently experiencing drought, is anticipating flash floods from waters coming from up country area and has since mobilized resources to tackle and mitigate its effects.
“We have met as the Disaster Risk Management Committee with membership drawn from various stakeholders among them the Kilifi County government and Kenya Red Cross to deliberate on the ongoing drought and also on the possible flash floods along the river Sabaki,” he said.
“The floods that threatened the Sabaki River is not rains from this area but it is rain in upcountry areas. This area expects rains towards the end of the month and we have noticed water levels rising at the river and we are putting measures to ensure that we do not lose lives,” he added.
“Among our preparations is that we have enough shelter material for anyone who will be displaced and we have identified possible camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), we have enough medicine, enough rescue personnel and also food and non-food items,” he said.
In 2018, more than 4,000 households in the area were displaced forcing the government to deploy the Kenya Defense Forces helicopters and divers who joined in the rescue mission.
Among areas most affected are Singwaya, Garashi, Masindeni, Mikuyuni, Bate, Mitsunguni, Burangi, Chakama, Shakahola, Baricho among others.