Leo Odera Omolo reporting from Kendu-Bay Town.

THOUSANDS of families in several districts located in low land areas of Lake Victoria have been rendered homeless as a number of major rivers burst their banks flooding a large areas kick people out of their submerged houses.

The rising floods water have also swept away domestic animals like goats, ships, chicken and dogs .And fears persist that the areas affected could be hit by more devastative flood waters could spread to areas previously considered safe on the higher grounds.

Within only two weeks after the arrival of the long rains more than eleven deaths in flood relative castrophes have been reported. The districts which are affected by the calamity include Nyando, Nyakach, Rachuonyo, Migori, Nyatike and Homa-bay.. While the usually prone to floods Budalangi in Busia district is also affected.

In the newly created Nyatike district, which is situated along the Kenya-Tanzania border, River Kuja has burst its banks on both side flood a large number villages at Wath -Ong’er and Angugo area forcing the residents to take refuge at St. Ann Primary School.

The Provincial Administration under the supervision of Chief Chris Okello are co-ordinating the evacuation of close to 500 affected families. The chief appealed to well-wishers to donate food, mosquito nets, blankets and medicines.

The area MP Edick Omondi Anyanga called upon the government to assist the residents whose homes have been marooned by the swollen waters of River Kuja.

And in Nyando district hundred of people have been rendered homeless in Kanyapola areas following torrential rains which has incessantly pounded Nandi Hills and Kericho areas for the last forty eight hours. Fear persist that Ruiver Nyando, though had strong dykes built a couple of years back, could also burst its banks. Residents have been advised to more to higher ground and take refuge in the home of their relatives living on higher ground to avoid unnecessary deaths.

At least 200 dweling houses were marooned and submerged in water in the East Karungu area of Nyatike district sending resident fleeing to safety in higher ground.

Any many places, the victims have complained of lack of fresh waters and pit latrines, fearing the possibility of fresh outbreak of cholera epidemic which has been reported in the area for now close to two months.

Also swept away by flood waters are crops covering hundreds of hectares of farms now submerged in the water.

So far the death toll stands at eleven. The victims either drown in fast flowing river waters or by collapsing mud-walled houses. Two children had their bodies fished out of a river near Pap-Onditi in Nyakach district.

The Nyanza Provincial Police Officer{{PPO] Antony Kibuchi was quoted as saying that property worth millions of shillings has been destroyed in various places following storm and flood waters.

On Wednesday last week, the bodies of two children were fished out of a swollen river near Pap Onditi in lower Nyakach, while two other men were drown near Awasi. Deaths of more people have also been reported in Kisii and Kamagambo areas. The police also confirmed that the body of a men who was swept away by flood water has been recovered near Maseno town

Another man died in Migori district. The heavy rains has also brought dangerous varmints like poisonous snakes. But the fishermen are also reported in various flood spots to have made a roaring business as flood water brought a lot of fish into the farms.

In Karachuonyo both Sondu-Miriu, Oluch and Awach rivers burst their banks flooding large farming land. And next to Kisumu City River Nyamasaria also burst its banks. If the rains continue pounding up stream areas of Nandi Hills, Kericho and Kisii regions, thousands of people living in the lower lands areas would have to be evacuated to the higher grounds for their safety.

Medical teams were also reported to by standing by at the various location in the event of their services required.

Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

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Date: Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:06:50 -0700 [06:06:50 AM CDT]
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Subject: THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES RENDERED HOMELESS AS RISING FLOODS HIT SEVERAL LOW LAYING DISTRICTS IN NYANZA AND WESTER PROVINCE