The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) on Tuesday October 17 issued a warning to members of the public and the county governments concerning El Nino rains.
NEMA noted that since El-Nino rains are associated with flooding, various stake holders should be responsible to avoid casualties.
In the statement, NEMA advised members of the public to vacate areas prone to floods during the expected heavy rains.
“Members of the public to ensure that they keep off ecologically sensitive areas prone to flood incidences such as riparian, hill tops and areas prone to landslides,” read part of the statement.
Further, NEMA called on county governments to clear any materials that would hinder the free flow of storm water.
Also Read: Met Department Issues Tips to Survive El Nino Rains
The owners of dams, water pans, earth dams and other water bodies have also been asked to apply appropriate risk management measures.
These include dam inspection, monitoring and maintaining systems, as well as communication and community outreach.
“All project owners should ensure that they adhere to the conditions of the Environmental Impact Assessment licenses issued by the Authority as well as the Environmental management plans submitted to NEMA,” NEMA noted.
Moreover, the authority called on operators and owners of facilities that store chemicals to act appropriately to prevent flood water from getting into contact with the chemicals.
NEMA warns Producers as El Nino starts
Further, NEMA has reminded producers to ensure that their post-consumer waste does not clog drainage systems, obstruct the flow of rivers or cause pollution to the ecosystems.
According to the environment authority, post-consumer waste degrades the wetland ecosystems such as rivers, lakes, swamps, oceans, among others.
“The Authority shall not hesitate to take legal action on any producer and associated Producer Responsibility Organizations (PRO) whose product or packaging is found littering the environment,” the statement reads in part.
Also Read: Kenya Met Lists Areas Expecting Heavy Rains This Week
Also, NEMA highlighted previous flooding incidents in the country where urban areas experienced clogging of the drainage infrastructure by waste materials.
The authority named some of the waste materials clogging drainages including packaging, textiles and diapers.
“In previous flooding incidents, urban areas have experienced clogging of the drainage infrastructure by waste especially from packaging, textiles and diapers among others.
This exacerbates the flooding menace leading to loss of life and property,” read the statement in part.
Moreover, the statement by NEMA comes following an early warning by the Kenya Meteorological Department that the El-Nino phenomena would be experienced in the country from October 2023.
The weatherman warned of above average rains that may result in flooding in some part of the country.
However, Kenyans continue to question whether the El Nino rain, will eventually come as only little rainfall and showers have been witnessed in the recent past.
