Farmers in the Sub Counties of Ijara and Tana river are counting losses after river Tana burst its banks following the release of excess water from the Masinga and Kindaruma dams.
According to the residents their merchandise and farms were swept away by the raging floodwater from the hydroelectric dams coupled with a heavy downpour in the area recently.
Mzee Osman Wayu from Tana river said all their produce at the farms were submerged from Mansabubu,Mikiduni,Gababa,Boji,Kilindini,Masalani ndogo and Abalatirrow farms in Kotile division of Ijara sub county as heavy downpour continues to pound the area.
Mr Wayu said the floods and the coronavirus pandemic has made their lives terrible with no food from farms during the month of Ramadhan.
However in Ijara side all roads from Hola-Garissa and Masalani- Garissa have been destroyed by heavy downpour pour and the floods that started Friday night.
Travellers from Masalani to Garissa were stranded as transport buses belonging to Kilas bus services and Dek express suspended operations following the heavy rains that started two days ago.
According to the manager of Dek express Haret Adan said when the roads are destroyed, they used to attach a bus from Garissa to Boji where they use to send another stationed at Masalani to Boji side of Tana River County.
However Kilas bus express service has also suspended it’s operations according to Jamal Mohammed who said that the roads are impassable.
A spot check by KNA shows Masalani bridge might collapse any time as the river has eroded the western side is and it is risky for passengers and vehicles passing the bridge towards Hola town.
Residents appealed to government to provide humanitarian interventions such as food, drugs and other merchandise as life is difficult during this time of coronavirus, floods and poor road network.
Mr Mohammed Gure and Mr Bashir Dahir called on non governmental organisations, County Government of Garissa, Kenya Red Cross, Action Aid and Women Kind Kenya to come to the aid of residents of Ijara and Hulugho Sub county.
Ijara Deputy County Commissioner Mr Samuel Towett called on residents to move to higher ground to avoid the floods adding the government is trying to cope up with the situation.
By Mohammed Dahir
Floods Wreak Havoc in Ijara and Tana River
