Solar Energy News
WATER WORLD
Flood-hit Kenya pays tribute to victims of dam burst
Flood-hit Kenya pays tribute to victims of dam burst
by AFP Staff Writers
Mai Mahiu, Kenya (AFP) May 9, 2024

Thousands of people paid tribute Thursday to the 61 people killed last month when a makeshift dam ruptured in central Kenya, following heavy rains that have plunged the country into turmoil.

The tragedy near the Rift Valley town of Mai Mahiu was the deadliest single incident during a particularly brutal rainy season that has claimed 257 lives and displaced almost 55,000 households since March in the East African nation.

The disaster struck before dawn on April 29, when torrential downpours burst the dam, sending torrents of water and mud gushing down a hill.

The deluge cut off a road and washed away homes, devastating the village of Kamuchiri and killing 61, according to local MP Jane Kihara.

Thousands of people -- victims' relatives, residents as well as political leaders -- gathered to honour the dead in Mai Mahiu, a few kilometres from the scene of the tragedy.

Under a large tent, dozens of portraits of victims, including many children, were exhibited in front of flowers and candles, an AFP journalist at the scene said.

An emotional crowd listened to speeches by religious and political leaders, including Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who read a message from President William Ruto.

"In these difficult times, we stand in solidarity with those who have been affected by the disaster," he said.

The government warned on Wednesday that heavy rains were expected in 31 of Kenya's 47 counties.

Water levels of Lake Victoria -- the largest in Africa -- and Lake Baringo are expected to continue to rise, raising the threat of further flooding.

The authorities have also warned that all five dams comprising the Seven Forks hydropower project pose "an increased risk of flooding" in the counties of Garissa, Tana River and Lamu located downstream.

A total of 192 dams have been identified as "high risk" and populations living near 178 of them have been evacuated, according to the government.

The rains have also battered the rest of East Africa, compounded by the El Nino weather pattern.

At least 475 people have died in Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Somalia, according to government data and figures from the UN humanitarian agency OCHA compiled by AFP.

Related Links
Water News - Science, Technology and Politics

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
WATER WORLD
Ecuador suspends electricity rationing as rains return
Quito (AFP) May 6, 2024
Ecuador said Sunday that electricity rationing in place since mid-April due to a crippling drought is to be suspended, thanks to rains returning and neighbor Colombia resuming energy exports. Ninety-two percent of the country's electricity comes from hydroelectric plants. Starting Monday, after heavy rains over the weekend, there would be no more cuts, at least temporarily, Energy Minister Roberto Luque told journalists. Ecuadorans had seen cuts of up to 13 hours at a time as dams feeding h ... read more

WATER WORLD
New Insights into the Slow Process of Breaking Down Plant Material for Biofuels

Chicken fat transformed into supercapacitor components

Kimchi Institute process upcycles cabbage byproducts into bioplastics

Major advancement in sustainable syngas production using solar power

WATER WORLD
AI systems are already deceiving us -- and that's a problem, experts warn

Robotic Feeding System Developed by Cornell Researchers to Aid Individuals with Mobility Challenges

Einstein and anime: Hong Kong university tests AI professors

A better way to control shape-shifting soft robots

WATER WORLD
Why US offshore wind power is struggling - the good, the bad and the opportunity

Robots enhance wind turbine blade production at NREL

Offshore wind turbines may reduce nearby power output

Wind Energy Expansion Planned for China's Rural Areas

WATER WORLD
US to raise tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles: report

Nissan net profit nearly doubles despite China challenges

Clashes as protesters try to force entry into German Tesla plant

BMW says EU probe into China EV subsidies against free trade

WATER WORLD
Quantum advances enhance understanding of high-temperature superconductors

US forges new 'battery belt' in hopes of electric future

China issues draft guidelines to rein in lithium battery industry

A model for Australia's cost-effective renewable energy grid transformation

WATER WORLD
Fuel rods from GE Vernova's Nuclear Fuels are under evaluation at Oak Ridge

Sam Altman-backed nuclear start-up crashes after Wall Street debut

France's next-gen nuclear reactor gets green light

France's EDF, Korea's KHNP bid in Czech nuclear tender

WATER WORLD
Biden's clean energy tax credits likely to remain 'law of the land': Brainard

US banking giants had 'significant' challenges estimating climate risks: Fed

Solar storm could bring auroras, power and telecoms disruptions

Ukraine limits energy supplies after 'massive' Russian strike

WATER WORLD
Envious shamans and pollution: Diverse threats to Ecuadoran Amazon

Market-based schemes not reducing deforestation, poverty: report

Reevaluation of carbon-capture models highlights inaccuracies

Two charged in UK over 'Robin Hood tree' cut down

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.