A dam in Ruiru, Kiambu County, has sent residents into a panic after it broke its banks and overflooded into their homes.
Daily Nation was the first to report that the disaster affected the residents of Varsityville estate in Kamakis.
The dam broke its banks on Thursday morning, December 5, 2019.
There have been no reports of deaths or casualties yet.
According to Government Spokesman Cyrus Oguna, about 30,000 people have been affected by the heavy rains.
The Kenya Meteorology Department issued several flood alerts across the country, over the month of December 2019.
In a statement sent to newsrooms on Tuesday, December 3, the department advised Kenyans to brace for rains of up to 100 mm that could last until December 9.
On Monday, December 2, residents of Mbitini in Makueni were forced to flee for safety after Kithembeoni Dam burst its banks following weeks of heavy rain.
According to eyewitness reports, the raging floods swept away all in its path, including trees and houses that border the reservoir, leaving a host of families homeless.
The disaster triggered memories of the Solai Dam tragedy of May 9, 2018, where over 190 million litres of water ran through settlements.
According to the Hortfresh Journal, July-August 2018 Edition, the main causes of dam failure include extreme rain volumes, design error, geological instability caused by changes in water levels during filling or poor surveying, poor maintenance, especially of the outlet.
More to follow...
