'It Swept Everything': Kenya Villagers Count Toll Of Dam Deluge
Muhammad Irfan Published April 29, 2024 | 09:19 PM
The disaster struck in the dead of night, the villagers said, some still in shock over the deluge that engulfed their homes as a makeshift dam broke in Kenya's Rift Valley
Mai Mahiu, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Apr, 2024) The disaster struck in the dead of night, the villagers said, some still in shock over the deluge that engulfed their homes as a makeshift dam broke in Kenya's Rift Valley.
At 85, Peter Murithi Mwangi had already lived through a world war and British colonial rule.
But as he gazed at his flood-damaged home, sadness etched across his face, he told AFP: "I have never seen anything like this."
Mwangi and his wife were fast asleep when he heard "a very loud" noise around 3:00 am on Monday (midnight GMT).
After weeks of heavy rainfall that had already cost dozens of lives in Kenya, he knew immediately that the sound spelled danger.
The water rushed in and swept away his phone, effectively trapping the elderly couple indoors, with no means of calling for help.
"We prayed, prayed and prayed," Mwangi said, before the water flowed further downhill, receding enough to allow them to leave their home in the village of Kamuchiri.
He was one of the lucky ones.
Rescuers -- many of them locals and victims themselves -- began searching for survivors before dawn broke.
But the disaster's deadly toll -- which stands at 45 and is expected to rise -- has stunned the close-knit community.
"I am so worried because so many people that we used to live and pray with have died," said Margaret Wangechi, a 52-year-old school teacher, who likened the dam burst to "an earthquake".
"As of now, we still haven't found some of the bodies and we are still looking for them," she told AFP, her voice shaking.
She said the dead included two children she used to teach.
- 'Bodies under the mud' -
Stephen Njihia Njoroge, a resident involved in the emergency efforts, said he and others had managed to retrieve bodies from the debris using hoes and in some cases, their bare hands.
"We collected some of the bodies... we don't know how many are under the mud," he said.
Some villagers tried to clear piles of mud from their homes. Others wandered around in a daze as they contemplated the damage.
Evidence of the devastation -- and the lives destroyed -- was everywhere.
A pair of jeans, a pink towel with a checked pattern, plastic and metal utensils: personal items lay strewn across the ground, with flattened homes, uprooted trees and overturned vehicles testifying to the severity of the deluge.
Even the animals were not spared, with cattle carcasses lying next to broken branches and trunks.
"It swept everything in its path," said Njoroge.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Participate in #Y100YSoCool Contest and Get a Chance to Win All-New vivo Y100
Federal govt holds ceremony in honour of Hockey team
Chinese FM reiterates continued support to Pakistan for financial stability
Lily Greenberg of Biden administration resigns over US stance on Gaza war
T20 World Cup 2024: Legendary cricketers take part in festivities at New York’ ..
PM arrives in Muzaffarabad on day-long visit
Imran Khan’s photo during SC hearing goes viral
Imran Khan appears before SC via video link in NAB amendment case
IHC registrar office responds to Vawda’s letter
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 16 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 16 May 2024
KP Assembly to pass caretaker govt's budget to fulfill constitutional responsibi ..
More Stories From World
-
Germany boss Nagelsmann ignores Hummels to stick with regulars for Euros
27 minutes ago -
EU probes Facebook, Instagram over child protection
46 minutes ago -
Seoul court dismisses doctors' bid to halt S Korea reforms
47 minutes ago -
Dutch EU opt-out on asylum could take 'years': Wilders to AFP
47 minutes ago -
Inter's title party continues as off-field problems lurk
57 minutes ago -
Slovak PM in 'very serious' condition after assassination attempt
1 hour ago
-
Ukraine says halted Russian 'advance' in some Kharkiv zones
1 hour ago -
Asian football body scraps term limits for top leaders
2 hours ago -
Lebanon's Hezbollah says launched rocket barrage at Israeli positions
2 hours ago -
Dutch EU opt-out on asylum could take 'years': Wilders to AFP
2 hours ago -
EU probes Facebook, Instagram over child protection
2 hours ago -
Ishaq Dar invites Chinese entrepreneurs to set up labour intensive industry in Pakistan
2 hours ago