KENYA • Early Warning on Floods and Landslides Vol. 1 23. 04.10

KENYA • Early Warning on Floods and Landslides Vol. 1

23. 04.10

This report was issued by OCHA Kenya with information received from the Government of Kenya, Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), and media reports. It covers the period from 19-23 April 2010. The next report will be issued in accordance with developments on response.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Big landslide occurs in Nyakach district

• Floods alerts issued for Taita Taveta and Tana Delta districts

• Masinga dam is 2.9m away from overflowing

• NDOC and KRCS preparing for response actions

Situation Update

The enhanced long rains continue to be received in parts of western, central, Nairobi and coastal provinces, with no reports of unmanageable flood waters. On 20 April 2010, the following areas were placed under alert for flooding: - In Taveta District, the impacts of heavy rains from the Kilimanjaro and the Tanga District of Tanzania may cause flooding in Taveta. The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) informed that it is in touch with the Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) and the Tanzania Red Cross Society (TRCS) who are monitoring the two districts. The EOC is also in direct contact with the Kenya Wild Life Services in Amboseli, and Tsavo East and West National Parks who also maintain rain gauges in the parks.

In the Tana Delta and Garissa, Masinga dam is currently at 1053.6m against a Full Supply Level (FSL) of 1056.5m, according to KRCS. This means that Masinga is only 2.9m to reaching the FSL. The EOC, KENGEN and the UoN School of Mathematics will determine the overspill point or neighborhood. Once this is determined and if the rains persist as projected by the KMD, risk reduction measures ahead of the imminent floods are required.

Other areas being monitored are:

Nyanza and western provinces, around Samburu Hills and Baragoi, Marsabit, Ileret and Moyale are likely to receive seven-day rainfall totals in the range 100 to 150mm. The expected heavy rainfall in Nyanza and the Nandi Hills is likely to cause flooding in Lake Victoria basin while enhanced rainfall in western province would increase river levels. There is a potential for the Tana, Athi, Sabaki, Yala and Nzoia rivers to break their banks downstream.

NDOC is also monitoring areas in Coast Province (Magarini; Malindi; Lamu). The Lamu Meteorological Station recorded intense rainfall that culminated into a 24-hr total of 236.4mm on 14th April. This is highest 24-

The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors. hr rainfall ever recorded by Lamu Meteorological Station in the last 50 years. In addition, it has already surpassed the Long Term Average of 132.1mm for the month of April for Lamu Meteorological Station

Budalangi, Nyatike, Nyakach, Nyando, Pokot Central, Turkana Central/East, Narok North, Koibatek, Nakuru, Marsabit South, Lamu, Garsen, Hola, Bura, have not had floods in the past two weeks but are on high alert with pre-positioning activities going on.

The National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) reported of a big landslide in Nyakach on 19 April 2010, following heavy rains. No deaths have so far been reported.

Humanitarian Needs and Response

Preparedness levels

DISTRICT PREPRAREDNESS AUTHORITIES PREPOSITIONING OTHER ACTIVITIES PLAN EXISTS ALERTED

Malindi Yes Yes Food

NFIs

Garsen Yes Yes Two land cruisers and one M6 vehicles

Hola Yes Yes Three M6 vehicles

Lamu Yes Yes Food Population at risk being sensitized NFIs especially at Chalaluma and Mowa villages

Garissa Yes Yes NFIs: 500 kitchen sets; 3000 nets; 600 tarpaulins and 2000 blankets. for 1000 households.

Two land cruisers and six M6 vehicles

Magarini Yes Yes 600 bags of maize, 700 bags of rice and 200 bags of beans

Tarpaulins for 66 households

Bura Yes Yes Food

NFIs

Coordination

Needs

An overspill of the Masinga Reservoir to neighboring human settlements is anticipated and the humanitarian community has activated flood awareness and preparedness initiatives in order to prevent the loss of lives and sources of livelihood. Rivers Tana, Athi, Sabaki, Yala and Nzoia are likely to break their banks in the coming weeks if projected rainfall materializes.

Response

OCHA is supporting the Kenya Red Cross Society, Ministry of State for Special Programmes and National Disaster Operation Centre to develop and disseminate public information and awareness materials for distribution in flood and landslide prone and affected areas. Community radios and television stations are being used to send out preparedness and alert messages.

KRCS and OCHA are contacting District Commissioners to support preparedness activities through information dissemination & exchange.

Gaps WHAT WHERE

GOK food rations Garissa district

Distribution of farming inputs(seedlings and fertilizer for short Magarini district season crops) to the vulnerable

All humanitarian partners including donors and recipient agencies are encouraged to inform FTS of cash and in-kind contributions by sending an email to: [email protected].

V. Contact Please contact: Nairobi, Jeanine Cooper, Head of Office – OCHA Kenya [email protected], +254-20-762-5155,

Nairobi: Patrick Lavandhomme, Deputy Head of Office-OCHA Kenya [email protected], +254-762-20-762-5148

Nairobi: Thandie Mwape, Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Reporting & Analysis [email protected], +254-20-762-5316

New York: Alfred Nabeta, Desk Officer, [email protected], +1917-367-2649

For more information, please visit: http://ochaonline.un.org/kenya

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