Thousands affected as floods submerge Kenyan farms

AllAfrica.com, via UN Integrated Regional Information Network: Thousands of people have been affected after flash floods submerged hundreds of hectares of farmland in the north-eastern region of Mandera about a month after floods displaced hundreds of families in the region. "The farmland supports some 1,200 families, whose livelihoods and food security now hang in the balance," said the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS). About 600 hectares of farmland are under water in the divisions of Rhamu and Rhamu Dimtu, 80km from Mandera town.

The flooding has been attributed to increased run-off from the surrounding hills causing the River Daua to burst its banks. River Daua originates in neighbouring Ethiopia and covers 230km inside Mandera. Farming activities in the arid region are concentrated along riverine areas.

"In the last two days we have also been experiencing heavy rains," Khalif Mohammed, KRCS Mandera branch coordinator, told IRIN. The flooding, which is expected to last at least 60 days, has affected recently planted crops as well as maize, vegetables and fruit that were ready for harvesting. In October, River Daua also burst its banks, displacing thousands of people and submerging hundreds of latrines in Mandera town. The flood followed a long period of drought….

Tea pickers near Kericho, Kenya, shot by Ed Roberts, Wikimedia Commons, under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2