KENYA: Heavy rain displaces thousands in southeast

Photo: UN

The floods have displaced at least 2,000 families

TANA, 17 June 2008 (IRIN) - Thousands of people have been displaced in the Tana Delta District on the Kenyan coast following heavy rain over the past few days, according to a senior official with the provincial administration.

"The floods have also submerged crops and the situation could get worse if the River Tana bursts its banks," District Commissioner Charles Monari said on 16 June.

At least 2,000 families have been forced to abandon their homes and farms for higher ground to avoid being marooned by the flood waters, Monari said.

The worst hit areas included Mnazini, Tarassa, Konamasa and Chara, with some 2,000 families affected in the latter two places.

Overflowing pit latrines were posing a risk of waterborne diseases, he said.

The floods have also hit road transport, stranding several trucks belonging to the Kenya Red Cross which were taking relief supplies to the affected families.

Public transport from the district to parts of the neighbouring district of Lamu and North Eastern Province had also been cut.

The Ministry of Special Programmes has sent a team to the area to assess the situation.

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