Marsabit residents trapped on sand dunes as floods sweep away village
Traders in Marsabit Town clear trenches on November 2, 2017 following heavy rains which flooded their businesses. Floodwaters swept through manyattas in Olom Village, North Horr sub-County, Marsabit County, on the night of November 5, 2017, marooning residents who sought refuge on sand dunes and a hill. PHOTO | IRENE MWENDWA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Floodwaters flowed from Mt Kulal and swept away a village in North Horr.
- Residents sought refuge on sand dunes and a hill.
- They are marooned and the area can only be accessed by air.
Two people and hundreds of livestock are missing after floodwaters swept through manyattas in Olom Village, North Horr sub-County, on Sunday night.
Members of 76 families from the affected village in Marsabit County spent the night on sand dunes and a nearby hill after escaping the floods.
FLOODS
The two people – elderly couple – was feared dead, Maikona MCA Buke Diba told the Nation on the phone.
One other person who had been swept away by the floods was rescued in the morning.
Mr Diba said the floodwaters came from Mt Kulal – more than 80 kilometres away.
This is after heavy rains were experienced in the ranges located near Lake Turkana.
TRAPPED
Mr Diba said that the region is not accessible by road and the locals were still trapped by the floodwater.
"They have lost all their livestock and property. The residents had no time to salvage anything as they rushed to higher grounds on sand dunes and a nearby hill," he said.
Mr Diba urged well-wishers to donate food and other basic items.
He said the region could only be accessed by air.
HEAVY RAIN
Rains have been pounding several parts of Kenya, causing flooding and landslides.
The Kenya Meteorological Department warned Kenyans to brace for more rains.
It asked those living near rivers to move to higher ground.
