Around 100 tourists found themselves stranded in Kenya’s renowned Maasai Mara game reserve on Wednesday, as the country continues to grapple with severe flooding.
The ongoing torrential rains, intensified by the El Nino weather pattern, have wreaked havoc across East Africa, claiming over 170 lives and displacing more than 195,000 people.
The latest incident unfolded when a river overflowed its banks in the Maasai Mara reserve on Wednesday morning, trapping tourists and workers alike. According to local official Stephen Nakola, nearly 100 or more tourists were marooned due to the flooding, with some camps remaining inaccessible, making it challenging to ascertain an exact count.
The Maasai Mara wildlife reserve, famed for its diverse ecosystem and home to the iconic “Big Five” animals – lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo – attracts thousands of visitors annually.
However, the flooding has disrupted the tranquility of the reserve, leaving tourists stranded and camps submerged.
Rescue efforts are underway to evacuate those stranded in the affected areas. The Kenya Red Cross reported rescuing 61 individuals from camps and lodges in the Maasai Mara using both land and air transportation.
However, the situation remains challenging, with reports of tents being swept away and vital infrastructure like the Mara bridge being washed away.
Search and rescue operations have been intensified across the country to reach affected communities and provide assistance. President William Ruto has instructed the military to join the disaster response efforts to mitigate the impact of the floods and ensure the safety of those affected.
President Ruto has also emphasized the role of climate change in exacerbating the severity of the weather patterns, referring to the flood victims as “victims of climate change.” The government is facing mounting pressure to address the underlying environmental challenges and implement measures to mitigate the impact of such disasters in the future.
As the rescue operations continue and the country grapples with the aftermath of the devastating floods, concerted efforts are underway to provide relief to those affected and restore normalcy in the affected regions.
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