Waiguru activates emergency response measures as Thiba dam swells amid heavy rains

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has activated all emergency disaster response interventions to deal with floods and other emergencies arising from heavy rains in the County.

Waiguru further asked people living near Thiba Dam and areas downstream to remain alert because the water reservoir is filling up very quickly.

There are fears that the dam could burst due to the ongoing torrential rains.

She said a disaster monitoring committee has been put in place to actively monitor the situation in order to mitigate against possible disasters as well as implement prompt response where required.

The Governor some parts of the County are experiencing floods that have displaced dozens of people who are being housed in schools.

“This week alone, we have rescued some families displaced by floods in Mwea after river Thiba burst its banks, we have found them temporally place to stay in schools,” Waiguru added.

She said the County Government has intensified its flood mitigation measures in the floods prone areas.

Waiguru however said some of the floods are being caused by people who have built on riparian land and others who are blocking drainage system.

“I want to ask those blocking waterways to move away because our county is experiencing excess rains with Mwea being worst hit,” she said.

For the last two weeks, the county has been clearing of drainage trenches and culverts that have been blocked by soils and debris as well as excavation of additional trenches and expanding water canals to enhance free flow of water and reduce flooding risk.

“The county government is committed to ensuring we save lives and property. For those living in towns, let’s make use of the dustbins so as to avoid dropping papers and debris that is blocking the drainage systems so as to save more lives,” the Governor said.

The ongoing interventions have come as great relief to residents of some of the severely affected areas such as Thiba, MaishaKamili, Soweto, Thiguku, Sagana, Kagio and areas surrounding Wang’uru Stadium.

The county has deployed its roads machinery such as excavators, backhoes as well as trucks for quick response in case of flooding or blocked roads.