Acting Makueni County Commissioner (CC) Moses Gicharu has assured residents that the government is prepared to handle any emergencies that may arise should the country experience El Nino rains as predicted by the weatherman.
Gicharu said that they have put in place mitigation measures to avert loss of lives and damage to property with the heavy rains expected to pound the area as of the third week of this month.
Speaking on Wednesday during the County Disaster Management Committee meeting in his Wote boardroom, the administrator said that they have mapped out areas prone to flooding and mudslides.
“We anticipate flooding in Masongaleni, Nthongoni, Barazani, Mutyambua, Kasikeu and Kavuthu. Clogging of sewer systems and drainage is likely to happen in major towns namely Wote, Makindu, Emali, and Kibwezi,” said Gicharu.
Consequently, he urged all administrators who were present in the meeting to reactivate Sub-county committees by Wednesday next week. “The Sub-county, divisional, ward, and location disaster committees should be ready by Wednesday next week to handle any emergencies that may arise due to the heavy rains that will pound the area,” he observed.
During the meeting, it was agreed that each Sub-county would identify its needs besides locating evacuation centers where people would be taken if they were displaced from their homes.
Further, the deputy county commissioners were told to identify stores where non-food items and foodstuff will be stored to benefit households that will be displaced from their homes.
Speaking in the same meeting, Executive Committee Member for Trade Mr. Petr Mumo Nyamai said that the county was in the process of desilting dams to ensure they harvest more water during the impending El Nino rains.
Nyamai also disclosed that the county government has trained 15 divers to assist should people drown in local rivers or flooded areas.
On his part, Makueni County Director of Meteorological Services Jonathan Ngayai called on wananchi to adhere to government advisories to help them avert damage to property and loss of lives.
“This information comes from experts from the World Meteorological Organization and is given to countries who disseminate the same to wananchi who should take it seriously to avert loss of lives and mitigate risks. Ignorance leads to destruction of property, those who adhere to advisory, benefit immensely,” warned Ngayai.
By Patrick Nyakundi
