Saturday 11 May 2013

Migori flash flood kill more than 10, sweep away bridges


Floods have swept away several bridges in Migori county. County residents fear for their lives as flash floods continue to wreak havoc. More than 10 people have been killed in the county.

Several estates in Migori town have been cut off after the bridges on rivers Nyasare and Onyinjo were damaged. “With the constant rains every evening we are forced to rush home or risk being cut off as water overflows the culverts,” Brian Okoth, a resident, said. Three bridges have been affected with some of their sections being swept away by floods.

Residents of Oruba, Milimani and Sangla estates in Suna West constituency and their Nyasare, Magina and Nyikendo estates in Suna East constituency are calling on their CDF committees to speed up building the bridges.

“We need to build stronger and more bridges as constant rains and floods make the culverts weaker,” said Valentine Ogongo, a local leader. In Nyatike district the Angubo bridge connecting Muhuru Bay, Sori and Lwanda towns have been weakened by constant flooding.

“When it rains, the bridge overflows, blocking school children and bringing transport to a stand-still with most risking death as the bridge is weakened,” Richard Bitonga, the police boss said.

Bitonga said the condition of the bridge has affected distribution of relief food at camps as cars transporting food are sometimes forced to unpack longer distance from camps. “The government should take the plea by residents and the Red Cross officials to build the bridge on time,” he said.

Saturday 11 May 2013

http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-119911/migori-flash-flood-kill-10-sweep-away-bridges

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