Economy

Tana River residents flee homes after flood alert

TANA

A flooded section in Tana River County. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Hundreds of families in Tana River County have started fleeing their homes to safer areas after a floods alert.

The residents from Kone village and other areas of Galole and Tana Delta have started pitching camp on higher grounds as rains pound the area.

They said had decided to move early to minimise the heavy losses experienced during the previous rain season.

"We got the alert and seeing that we did not want to go through what we went through last time, we thought it wise to move faster to safer grounds. We are more than 300 in this camp," said Toash Maro, a resident of Kone.

Mr Maro said for most residents who were beginning to recover from previous massive flood losses, the forecast floods would deal them a big blow and asked the national government to especially accelerate plans for affordable housing in the area.

"We incurred lots of losses in the recent floods, which left behind pests that later destroyed our crops hence affecting our harvest. Now here we are, no houses, no food again. We seek government support in these difficult times," he said.

His sentiments were echoed by Florence Bungulu, another resident of Mikinduni village, who urged charity organisations and the government to come to their aid before the rains intensify.

"Most of us do not have the tents and other basic needs. The situation is especially dire for the women with children," she said.