Floods kill dozens in Kenya after dam bursts

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7 個月前

STORY: At least 42 people have been killed in floods in central Kenya's Mai Mahiu area after a dam burst early on Monday (April 29).

That's according to police who said the death toll could rise.

Earlier on Monday, the Kenya Red Cross said it had taken several people to a health facility in Mai Mahiu due to flash flooding.

The latest deaths bring the total number to have died amid heavy rains and flooding since last month to more than 140.

Government figures show that more than 185,000 have been displaced.

Dozens more have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced by intense downpours in other East African countries, including Tanzania and Burundi.

The floods have also caused widespread damage to infrastructure such as roads and bridges.

A Kenyan government spokesperson said hydroelectric dams were filled to capacity, which could lead to a massive overflow downstream.

On Monday, the education ministry postponed the start of a new school term by a week.

East Africa was also hit by record floods during the last rainy season in late 2023.

Scientists say climate change is causing more intense and frequent extreme weather events.