Over 2,500 people displaced by floods in Mandera as rains intensify

More than 2,500 people have been forced to evacuate their homes in Mandera after heavy rainfall persisted for more than 36 hours, causing severe flooding that submerged houses and uprooted trees.

Approximately 100,000 families in Mandera East, Mandera North, and Mandera South have also been displaced due to the flooding. 

The rising waters have made roads impassable, businesses have shut down, and residential areas, especially Darika Village in Khalalio, Mandera East, have been surrounded by water, leading to the displacement of numerous residents.

Darika Village in Khalalio has been hit the hardest, with homes and a significant number of livestock perishing. 

Residents have been forced to seek refuge on higher ground as their village remains completely submerged. 

The situation has also affected students preparing for the upcoming KCSE exams, as flooded roads and schools have disrupted their access to education.

The ongoing rains and floods have not spared educational institutions, severely impacting the learning process for local students and hindering their education.

Livestock losses have also been reported, although the exact extent remains uncertain, further complicating the crisis.

Local leader Mohamed Yussuf has appealed to humanitarian agencies, including the Kenya Red Cross, to expedite their rescue efforts before the situation worsens. 

The rainfall is continuing in Mandera County, with the Kenya Meteorological Department warning that the heavy rainfall experienced in various parts of the country is expected to spread and intensify over the North Eastern and Central regions.