We are in the long rainy season. And it’s raining in many countries across the globe. And these rains are heavy, causing havoc in many parts. Lots of lives are being lost, lots of properties destroyed, and displacement of people. I’ve seen videos from Dubai floods, Brazil, and even US cyclones and it’s a bit frightening. I can only imagine the shock on the people in these areas experiencing these effects.
In Kenya, it has been many years since we had such an experience. Rarely do we have rains that cause damage to this magnitude. Many parts of the country have been affected. I’m grateful I haven’t experienced any inconvenience from the rains or floods.
There’s a place called Mai Mahiu in the rift. A dam broke due to excessive water, flooding several villages down on the water path. Killing over 100 people. Men, women, and Children. It was a huge disaster. Many other people have experienced landslides due to the rain’s impact. In Nairobi, several estates have succumbed to floods. Waters cover almost their whole houses or up to some level. Thousands have been forced into eviction. Not forgetting the countless road floods, many bridges being overrun by rain waters, cars, bikes, and other materials plus people being washed away. The number of deaths has risen to above 200 people now, three months into the floods.
To some extent, these floods have shown us the many decades we’ve gone through in the cities with poor planning. Poor drainage, expansion, and development. Which is now being perfectly displayed by these flash floods. I think the counties have a lot of work to do after the rains. At least to design some better drainage and ways for water handling. There’s a 10 billion shs budget in parliament right now awaiting approval. It’s supposed to cater to the flood victims and do most of the drainage constructions plus flood damages.
So today has been made a public holiday. To commemorate the flood victims, those forced to evict, and the damages caused by the waters. Yes, this is Kenya thus why we had to have a Public holiday just for that. I wonder if any other countries experiencing such disasters have had to mark the event with a public holiday?
What country are you in? Do you have any flooding or damages from the rains? Do you have heavy rains?
Image credits
kevin kinge 
How devastating. Seems these rain events are happening all over the world. I’m in Australia and we’ve suffered some devastating flooding just in the past twelve months. Take care!
Yes, it was devastating, and yes, they happened almost all over. Sorry about the floods disasters you’ve had to endure in the past months. Wishing you a favorable coming season and peace, lots of peace.