El Nino death Toll rises to 136 as government launches toll-free line to report emergencies
One hundred and thirty-six people have so far been killed by floods while 92,432 comprising 462,160 persons have been displaced from the ongoing El Nino rains, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has said.
Omollo said that boats have been taken to Mombasa and Garissa counties to help in evacuating those affected urging Kenyans to adhere to the alerts and take precautions.
“The government has flown rescue boats from Mombasa to Garissa to assist in evacuation and relief efforts. We continue to urge Wananchi to adhere to weather and flood alerts and take precautions so as not to risk injury or death through driving on flooded roads and crossing bulging rivers.” He said.
He shared the National Disaster Operations Centre Contact 0202151053 or the Toll-free number 800721571 for reporting of any emergency incidents.
The PS added that they have intensified the mitigation efforts despite an anticipated decrease in the rains.
A decrease in rainfall is anticipated in the Northern half of the country this week even as the government continues with its flood mitigation efforts in worst-hit counties and those on high alert.
Ten tonnes of food were yesterday airlifted to Wajir.
Further, the government announced the opening of the Kutulo-Elwak road which had been closed by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) for repair after it was destroyed by heavy floods.
The thirty-six trucks which were carrying oil products and food items were finally released to move to their destinations.
“This (repair) has allowed the 36 truck-convoy carrying various commodities including food and diesel that was stuck at Tullow to now reach its destination. Other roads affected shall be repaired once the waters subside.” Omollo added.
Medical interventions and rescue have also been sent in Lamu, Garissa, Kwale, Mandera, and Wajir where diarrhea cases have been reported as an effect of floods.
In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) has also dispatched cholera kits through the Kenya Red Cross warehouses in the last mile distribution to seventeen affected counties.
Isiolo County is also expected to receive it batch of mosquito nets by tomorrow.
