Flood Risk Looms as Masinga Dam Nears Capacity, KenGen Issues Warning
Communities living along the Tana River have had their alert level raised. According to the Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) heavy rain over the past few days has caused a massive surge in the water levels coming from the Seven Forks dams.
In a statement put out last Saturday, the company warns that the situation is looking increasingly serious due to steady rainfall in areas that drain into the reservoirs, causing worry for people living downstream.
Rains in Mount Kenya and Aberdares Push Levels Higher
KenGen says the increased water levels arent just a random spike – they’re a result of a steady flow in of water from the Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Range , plus direct rain falling on top of the reservoirs themselves.
When KenGen put out the notice they said communities and residents living along the Seven Forks dam and downstream along the Tana River need to know that there’s been a lot of water flowing into the reservoirs from the heavy rain in the Mount Kenya and Aberdares . As a result, the water levels are really starting to build up.
The warning paints a pretty clear picture: water is stacking up – and fast.
Masinga Nears Capacity as Kiambere Stays Under Watch
Two of the major dams in the area are currently the cause of concern. KenGen says Masinga is likely to reach its full capacity very soon , while Kiambere is being kept under close eye.
When KenGen made their statement they said that Masinga is just on the verge of being full, while Kiambere is currently overflowing a bit and is being kept very closely watched.
That situation – with one dam getting close to being full and another already spilling over – has raised all sorts of concerns about the potential for a flood downstream.
Residents Urged to Stay Alert and Move if Necessary
KenGen aren’t messing around – they’re advising people living in low-lying areas to keep an eye out and take action early.
Residents in flood-prone areas are being encouraged to think about moving to safer ground. The message is pretty clear: don’t wait until it’s too late to do anything about it.
In the meantime, folks are being discouraged from doing normal day-to-day activities near the river.
Farming, fishing, taking your livestock to graze or even crossing the riverbank in the Seven Forks area are all being advised against for now.
Strict Instructions: Follow Official Guidance
At the same time, authorities are stressing the importance of only going on official and trusted sources of information – this is especially important when there’s misinformation flying around as fast as the water is rising.
“Just go to official sources for news and guidance” is basically the message.
And anyone who spots something unusual happening or a flood looming should report it straight away.
KenGen Promises Continued Updates
Even as the situation gets more and more serious, KenGen says they are working closely with the government to keep an eye on things and will continue to keep the public informed with regular updates.
The company is telling residents to be on high alert, stay in the loop, and also report anything that seems out of the ordinary as the situation develops.
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Flood Risk Looms as Masinga Dam Nears Capacity, KenGen Issues Warning
