The flood disaster in Kilifi and Tana River County has reached out of proportion following the increased water levels that has left thousands of residents marooned and stranded after River Sabaki and River Tana broke their banks.
Currently both the county and National Governments together with the humanitarian agencies are overwhelmed following the crisis which has been described as the worst in the history of floods in the region.
Tana River County Kenya Red Cross Coordinator Jackson Bombe said over 6,0000 families have been displaced so far and the number is expected to rise after KENGEN also released water that had already begun having effects downstream.
The KRCS official said already the 47 households had been marooned in Mbalambala and expressed fear that the water flow will reach Tanadelta lower area in 24 hours.
“We are trying to help them but its difficult accessing the area is impossible, so far we approximate over 10,200 families who have been displaced expect the number to rise in 24 hours,’’ he said.
Bombe said they had told locals to move to safety grounds but this time the floods had affected areas that are not traditionally prone to floods.
By Wednesday the Red Cross Coordinator said Waldena area had also been marooned.
He said they have so far disbursed nonfood items to 2000 families in Madogo, 300 families in Garsen, 600 families in Galole but termed that as a drop in the ocean due to the magnitude of the disaster.
In Kilifi County alone Magarini and Malindi Sub County are hard hit and over 3000 people are still stranded and require urgent assistance to evacuate them from safer grounds.
Kenya Red Cross officials on Wednesday said there project the number of victims displaced could reach over 18000 people if the situation will not change while thousands of farms with crops have since been destroyed.
Kilifi County Red Cross Coordinator Hakima Masoud said they have been carrying assessment in the two sub counties which are largely affected and some areas are still inaccessible by boat or road.
Speaking after touring some parts of Kakuyuni ward she said only a chopper can be used to evacuate those affected.
Bate area in Magarini she said is not accessible and the affected people have not been able to get supplies for the past three days.
“For the displaced families we have supplied them with nonfood items, blankets, taplins, water treatment chemicals, we were working with Interior ministry to ensure they get food supplies,’’ she said.
During a tour of Malimo and Madunguni in Kakuyuni ward of Malindi constituency there were villages which were marooned and others completely submerged.
Those who had managed to move to safety said the floods levels are serious and destroyed all their property and farms.
Kahaso Mwangala said the water flooded in his home at 3 am on Wednesday and increased to appoint that was dangerous to livelihoods.
He called on the government to help in supplying with relief food and nonfood items as there was a risk of disease contamination and famine.
Some workers in Galana conservancy near the Galana Kulalu irrigation scheme were stranded for the better part of Wednesday but were rescued by KWS officials and Kenya Red Cross officials.