The government has issued an urgent flood warning for residents of the Lower Tana River Basin, urging immediate voluntary evacuation amid fears of imminent flooding. Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo announced the advisory on Friday, citing dangerously high water levels in the Seven Forks hydropower dam cascade due to ongoing heavy rains.
Dr. Omollo warned that the most vulnerable areas include Garissa, Hola, Garsen, and surrounding low-lying zones along the Tana River. “The potential for widespread flooding is both real and imminent,” he cautioned, emphasizing the urgency of moving to higher ground.
The alarm follows a sharp increase in inflows from the Mt. Kenya and Aberdare catchment areas. Kiambere Dam, the final reservoir in the Seven Forks cascade, has already exceeded its full supply level, raising fears of uncontrolled downstream flooding.
To mitigate the threat, the government has activated a full emergency response involving the National Disaster Operations Centre, KenGen, local Disaster Response Committees, and National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs). Controlled spillages are underway from upstream dams Masinga, Kamburu, Gitaru, and Kindaruma to ease pressure on the system.
The Kenya Meteorological Department forecasts continued rainfall from Friday, May 16, through Tuesday, May 20, which could further exacerbate the situation.
In anticipation of possible displacement, public schools, churches, and government facilities are being converted into temporary shelters. Relief efforts are being supported by public health and humanitarian agencies, including the Kenya Red Cross Society and the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS), who are now on the ground assisting with evacuations and logistics.
Dr. Omollo stressed that cooperation with emergency teams is critical to preventing loss of life. “Safety is paramount. We urge everyone in the affected regions to act now and cooperate fully with the emergency response teams to avoid tragedy,” he said.
Residents are strongly advised to follow official updates and avoid returning to flood-prone areas until authorities declare them safe.
