The Kenyan government has ordered people living near 178 dams and reservoirs to evacuate as heavy rains continue.

The interior ministry warned that the water bodies "have filled up or are nearly filled up and may spill over any time, posing a high risk to persons living in their neighbourhood".

Nairobi

Title: Kenya Orders Evacuations Near Dams Amid Flood Warnings

The Kenyan government has issued evacuation orders for residents living near 178 dams and reservoirs across the nation, as the threat of flooding intensifies due to continuous heavy rains. The Interior Ministry has highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that these water bodies are either full or nearing capacity and could spill over at any moment, placing individuals in nearby areas at significant risk.

In response to the crisis, those residing near affected dams, including the Nairobi Dam, have been directed to leave their homes as swiftly as possible. The urgency of the situation is palpable among the local populace, some of whom have expressed concerns about their inability to relocate due to financial constraints. The situation is exacerbated in Nairobi by the combination of torrential rains, attributed in part to the El Nino weather pattern, and infrastructural challenges such as poor drainage and the presence of illegal settlements.

Meteorological forecasts indicate that the heavy rains are expected to continue, with predictions of increased duration and intensity. The adverse weather has already led to widespread flooding and landslides in Kenya and the neighboring country of Tanzania, resulting in a rising death toll and significant disruption.

Residents near the Nairobi Dam, which is already at a high risk of overflowing, have been forced to move to safer grounds, although many are uncertain about their future steps. The government's instructions to evacuate have been met with compliance, but the path forward remains unclear for many, including those with families and children.



Kenya orders flood evacuations as it warns dams could spill

These residents must vacate their homes as soon as possible. They live near a river in Nairobi. This man says he has nowhere to go. I have nothing. I have no money. My salary is only due next week. The Kenyan government has ordered thousands of people across the country to move away from wetlands that have flooded many areas. Torrential rains in the region have been made worse by the El Nino weather phenomenon. Meteorological reports paint a dire picture. The rains will persist, increasing both in duration and intensity for the rest of this month and possibly after. Kenya and neighboring Tanzania have seen weeks of devastating floods and landslides. The death toll keeps rising. The problem in Nairobi has been worsened by poor drainage and illegally built settlements in some areas. People living near the Nairobi Dam say they know they're not supposed to be there, but it's the only place they can afford. This is how close the houses are from the Nairobi Dam. It doesn't look like much. It's covered by water high as this. But when it overflows, the water comes to their houses. Several people in the last couple of weeks have been killed. Shilandeche and her neighbors have had to move to a field adjacent to the dam. Where are we going? The governmental people told us to pack up our things. We have done that. We have children. So what's next? She says she's still waiting for the government to tell them where to go. Catherine Soy, Al Jazeera, Nairobi.

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