More than 20,000 households in Mandera County have been forced to evacuate their residences due to continuous heavy rainfall, persisting for more than 36 hours.
The downpour has triggered massive flooding, submerging houses, uprooting trees, and paralyzing normal life.
The affected areas include Mandera East, Mandera West, Mandera North, Mandera South, Kiliwaheri, Arabia, and Lafey sub-counties, affecting more than 25 locations across 11 wards. Notable among the affected areas are Khalalio, Neboi, Township, Libihiya, Rhamu, Elwak North, Elwak South, Shimbir Fatuma, Alungu Lafey, and Fino.
This is the situation in Elwak. Homes submerged, lives disrupted—this is the reality.
26,011 families in parts of the North Eastern region (Wajir, Garissa and Mandera) are now grappling with the harsh impact of floods, leaving 13,473 displaced. pic.twitter.com/P6V7eRY6As— Kenya Politics (@kenyaapolitics) November 7, 2023Did you read this?
Mohamed Yussuf, the MCA in Khalalio, Mandera East, has urgently called on humanitarian agencies, including the Kenya Red Cross, to expedite their rescue efforts before the situation deteriorates further.
Roads have become impassable, businesses have ceased operations, and residential neighborhoods, particularly Darika Village in Khalalio, Mandera East, have been engulfed by water, leading to the displacement of numerous residents.
Darika Village has suffered the most significant impact, with homes and many livestock perishing.
Residents have been forced to seek refuge on higher ground as their village remains marooned.
Another area in urgent need of intervention is Elwak in Mandera South, where many buildings have been isolated by the flood waters.
The floods have disrupted the lives of students doing KCSE exams, as flooded roads and schools have severely impeded their access to education.
The calamity has spared neither educational institution, significantly impacting the learning process for local students and hindering their education.
47 schools, including 37 primary schools and 10 secondary schools, were submerged.
Furthermore, 69 toilets and 48 classrooms collapsed, affecting a total of 1,321 students, including 830 boys and 491 girls, who are currently sitting for exams.
Mandera County Commissioner, Amos Mariba has assured residents of the government’s unwavering commitment to providing essential services and ensuring that the affected students successfully complete their exams.
