Engineers working on various roads within Murang’a County have been asked to consult weather and climate experts to evade disaster especially during rainy season.
Murang’a County Director of Meteorological services Mr Paul Murage has observed that use of heavy machinery during rainy season may trigger landslides at hilly areas within the County.
Murage’s sentiments came after a section of the Mau Mau road which is under construction was hit by a landslide on Sunday night destroying tea farms and houses.
The landslide which was witnessed at Kanyenyaini area left the road blocked with locals claiming the incident was triggered by use of heavy machinery which are being used in tarmacking of the road.
“Its advisable engineers from KENHA and KERRA who are working on infrastructural development especially at hilly areas to continuously consult weathermen so as to avoid disaster which may lead to loss of lives. Soils in Murang’a are deep and easily get saturated by rains, use of heavy machines can trigger a landslide,” he observed when he spoke to KNA in his office on Tuesday.
He said big part of the Mau Mau road which connects four counties cuts across mountainous area where soils are loose and easily saturated.
Murage noted as the government continues to implement the projects experts in weather and soils need to be involved since some parts where the road is being constructed had earlier developed cracks.
“In 2016, earth cracks developed in parts of Kangema and Mathioya Sub-counties and we are not sure how deep the cracks are. With ongoing rains water percolates in the cracks thus putting the land at risky to be hit by landslides,” he added.
Meanwhile the weatherman said the county will continue receiving more rains up to end of May warning those living at landslide risky areas to be observant and take precautions early.
“Those who live at landslide prone areas should take precautions when they notice earth cracks at their home compounds and farms. Some of residents had already shifted to safer grounds especially those living near the Mau Mau road,” stated Murage.
He asked the locals to use best practices in conservation of land like planting of bamboo trees which are known to properly protect soil erosion and landslides.
By Bernard Munyao
