Mai Mahiu Man Swept Away by Floods at Night Recounts Narrow Escape: "Nililala Juu Ya Mti"

 

Families from Mai Mahiu are still coming to terms with the deadly flooding that has killed at least 45 people and left scores missing. Search, rescue and evacuation efforts continue at Mai Mahiu after a dam burst, leaving at least 45 dead. Survivors have continued to give an account of events on the ill-fated night as rescue operations continue to find those missing. How did Mai Mahiu flooding unfold? A survivor from the tragedy has provided an apocalyptic description of the night when the water swept their homes away. He explained that his wife was the first to hear the loud burst, and they were swept away before they could get to the door and confirm what was happening. The injured man explained that he only remembers finding himself sleeping naked on an uprooted tree. "We were sleeping with my wife and children. Suddenly, my wife woke up and said, "What's that rumbling noise?" I followed her to open the door to see what it was. Before reaching the door, water came from behind the house; we felt like a bomb had exploded, and we were swept away. Now, it's just being moved from one place to another. I found myself among trees that had been uprooted, lying naked on them," he narrated. What caused Mai Mahiu flooding? In the wee hours of Monday, April 29, the tragic event unfolded on the busy Nairobi-Naivasha Highway in the Mai-Mahiu area, where floodwaters engulfed multiple vehicles. According to reports, the incident occurred when the Kijabe Dam broke its banks, engulfing local villagers and travellers along the highway. Water Cabinet Secretary Zachariah Njeru attributed the incident to a blocked railway line tunnel obstructing the natural water flow through River Tongi. He explained that the channel got blocked due to debris, stones, trees, and soil brought about by the heavy downpour in the area, thereby preventing water from flowing through the River Tongi course and its small tributaries from moving downstream. Kenya Meteorological Department predicts heavy rains Despite the destruction caused by the rains, Kenyans are staring at a worse situation before it gets better after a statement issued by the Meteorological Department on Tuesday, April 30. The department asked Kenyans to remain vigilant as heavy rainfall is anticipated to intensify throughout the week. According to the weatherman's forecasts, the next seven days will not only bring heavy rainfall, but also strong winds, thunderstorms, and lightning. 

by  Didacus Malowa