Fresh crisis hits Tana as dam spills

Tana Delta residents have been urged to move to higher grounds after the Masinga dam overflowed, triggering fears of more devastating floods.

Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (Tarda) managing director Abdul Agonga said the overflow is the worst in recent years and could cause serious havoc downstream.

“We want to urge those living along the banks of the river to vacate and those downstream to move to higher grounds because this is a serious overflow,” Mr Agonga said after assessing the dam on Friday.

Masinga dam is the biggest water reservoir along the Tana River and its overflow will cause flooding in Tana River County.

“One of the major reasons this dam was constructed is to control flooding, but now that it has overflowed, it can no longer hold the water and people downstream will suffer,” he added.

At least 1,500 houses have been marooned and more than 10,000 hectares of crops washed away in Tana Delta District in the last few weeks as floods continue to wreak havoc in the region.