Heavy flooding resulting from heavy rains has caused the evacuation of tourists and staff from Kenya’s Maasai Mara game reserve. The Talek River overflowed on Tuesday, leading to the submersion of over 10 lodges and camps, and severe damage to the reserve’s infrastructure, including the Mara bridge. Ongoing efforts have rescued 36 individuals by air and 25 by boat so far, with emergency helicopters aiding in evacuation efforts. However, the extent of the damage remains unclear.
The flooding has been exacerbated by heavy rains upstream and waters from the Mara River, near the Serengeti-Tanzania border, following days of rainfall in the area. The situation has been made worse by the submerging of roads and bridges, affecting local communities. The Talek gate, one of the main routes out of the game reserve, is also said to be heavily flooded.
President William Ruto has urged residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate, as the rainy season continues to wreak havoc, resulting in numerous casualties and displacements. In the past few weeks, about 180 people have lost their lives, while 90 are still missing. The situation remains critical, and more efforts are needed to rescue and provide aid to those affected.
