Garissa County, Kenya – During a press conference held at the Garissa farmers’ training center, Garissa County Commissioner Solomon Chesut urged the public to take precautionary measures as the El Nino rains fast approach.
Residents along the Tana River in Garissa have been notified to relocate to higher ground and remain vigilant for flood alerts distributed through various media channels and community forums.
Government’s Concern for Public Safety
Commissioner Chesut expressed the government’s unwavering commitment to preventing loss of life, property damage, and the potential spread of water-borne diseases.
He emphasized the vulnerability of Garissa County, especially along the Tana River, which can be a valuable resource during normal rains but poses a significant threat during periods of excessive rainfall.
“As you are all aware, Garissa County is situated in a low-lying area, particularly along the Tana River. Sometimes, the Tana River is a blessing to us, but when the rains exceed normal levels, it becomes a disaster,” Chesut stated.
Government Preparedness Measures
During the address, Chesut was joined by key stakeholders and partners, including the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and the Kenya Red Cross, who shared the government’s commitment to disaster preparedness.
The government has mobilized essential resources to ensure a swift response in case of an emergency.
Mohamed Dubow, the County director in charge of special programs, emphasized their readiness, particularly in terms of logistics, indicating that they are currently operating at 60 percent preparedness.
“We have conducted thorough assessments of our human resources, logistics, and financial resources necessary to address all potential issues,” said Dubow.
However, he acknowledged existing gaps that need attention, including scaling up surveillance, improving evacuation plans, and establishing identification of potential Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) sites.
Identifying High-Risk Areas
Authorities have identified several high-risk areas in the seven sub-counties of Garissa County. These include Ghurufa, Shanta Abaq, and Baraki.
Other mapped areas include Modogashe town, Janjuu, Jilango, Bulo Balamabla Saka, Sankuri, Shabah, and parts of the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) which have been marked as vulnerable areas.
Other areas at risk include Galbet, Iftin, Waberi, Masalani, Gababa, Kotile, Bothai, Sangai, Fafi, Galmagala, Degega, Saretho, Dertu, Alikune, and Medina.
Concern for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands
The government has already announced that residents of arid and semi-arid lands, who have been most affected by drought, are likely to face the brunt of the impending El Nino rains.
Several counties, including Garissa, Marsabit, Turkana, Baringo, Samburu, Wajir, Tana River, Kwale, Taita-Taveta, Mandera, Narok, and Isiolo, are expected to experience flooding. In addition, Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot are at risk of landslides.
FAQs
Q: Why is Garissa County particularly vulnerable during heavy rains?
A: Garissa County is situated in a low-lying area, especially along the Tana River, which can become a disaster when rainfall exceeds normal levels.
Q: What measures has the government taken to prepare for potential emergencies during the El Nino season?
A: The government, in collaboration with key stakeholders like the NDMA and Kenya Red Cross, has mobilized necessary resources and is operating at 60 percent preparedness. However, there are still gaps to address, such as improving surveillance and evacuation plans.
Q: Which areas in Garissa County have been identified as high-risk during the El Nino rains?
A: High-risk areas include Ghurufa, Shanta Abaq, Baraki, Modogashe town, Janjuu, Jilango, Bulo Balamabla Saka, Sankuri, Shabah, parts of ADC, Galbet, Iftin, Waberi, Masalani, Gababa, Kotile, Bothai, Sangai, Fafi, Galmagala, Degega, Saretho, Dertu, Alikune, and Medina.
Q: Which counties in Kenya are likely to experience flooding during the El Nino rains?
A: Counties at risk of flooding include Garissa, Marsabit, Turkana, Baringo, Samburu, Wajir, Tana River, Kwale, Taita-Taveta, Mandera, Narok, and Isiolo. Additionally, Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot are at risk of landslides.
Q: What is the government’s message to residents of arid and semi-arid lands in light of the El Nino rains?
A: The government is concerned about the impact of heavy rains on residents of arid and semi-arid lands and is committed to their safety. It urges residents to stay informed and take appropriate measures to protect themselves and their communities.
