NAIROBI: Kenya has evacuated tourists and workers at Maasai Mara National Reserve after the Talek River within the park overflowed its banks and floods, submerging more than 14 campgrounds as the nation continues to be battered by severe rains.
Over 90 individuals have been successfully evacuated, according to Kenya’s Red Cross. Both the Narok County government and the Mara Elephant Project claim to have sent helicopters to assist with the evacuations.
The Talek River, which flows through the wildlife sanctuary, breached its banks on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 morning following heavy rains, inflicting extensive damage and a tight escape for dozens of visitors and residents working at the hotels, lodges, and tents inside Maasai Mara National Reserve as floods worsened.
According to local media, Tuesday night’s flooding caused visitors and employees to climb trees in order to escape the ruthless waters. The yearly wildebeest migration from Tanzania’s Serengeti makes the Maasai Mara National Reserve, in the southwest of the nation, a well-liked tourist attraction.
Narok County Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu confirmed that with the deployment of two helicopters, all the visitors and workers had been evacuated safely and transferred to nearby hotels and camps where there was no flooding.
“We are implementing plans and mobilizing resources to respond promptly to distress calls and ensure the safety of our residents. We are remaining dedicated to fulfilling our duty to protect and serve the people during these challenging times,” Ntutu stated in a statement issued in Narok town.
Alfred Mutua, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife in the major national parks and reserves, recommended lodging establishments and campgrounds near rivers to set up evacuation plans in case of flooding during a recent briefing.
“Several camps have been affected by flooding, prompting our coordinated efforts to evacuate visitors, and we have been successful so far,” Mutua mentioned.
Since mid-March, over 180 people have lost their lives in Kenya due to massive flooding, landslides, and infrastructure destruction brought on by above-average rainfall.
READ: Charlene Ruto Named Among 100 Most Influential Young Africans with Nixon Kitimoi
In addition to directing the military to assist in the search and rescue operations, President William Ruto has asked residents of “fragile areas” (areas vulnerable to flooding and landslides) to relocate to higher ground.
This week is predicted to bring more rain, according to meteorologists, and Kenyans are still in much panic.
