STORY: At least 40 killed as dam bursts in Kenya amid heavy downpour
SHOOTING TIME: April 29, 2024
DATELINE: April 30, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:24
LOCATION: Nairobi
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. STANDUP (English): RUTH BARU, Xinhua reporter
2. various of the flood
3. SOUNDBITE (Kiswahili)：ELIJAH KIMOTHO, Local resident
4. various of the flood

STORYLINE:

At least 40 people have been confirmed dead, with several others still missing, after a dam burst in a town north of the Kenyan capital Nairobi, following heavy rains across the country, local police said Monday.

STANDUP (English): RUTH BARU, Xinhua reporter
"The old Kijabe dam located along the Great Rift Valley here swept with it cars and even people's houses, following the heavy downpour. Many people say it has caused a lot of destruction and even transportation has been interfered with."

SOUNDBITE (Kiswahili)：ELIJAH KIMOTHO, Local resident
"I am a resident here, and from 3 a.m. this morning, the water came and it swept away many people. We the local community have saved nine people but unfortunately, others were swept away, with children too. But I have seen that representatives of the government have come to take over the rescue."

Local police said that 40 bodies were recovered from the debris on Monday, with a major search and rescue operation ongoing in the Mai Mahiu area, about 60 kilometers north of Nairobi, after a nearby river overflowed due to flash floods.

Local officials said casualties could rise as the search and rescue operation continues, noting that many people remain missing.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said that the heavy downpour has affected all 47 counties, and the floods have displaced 24,196 households, comprising 131,450 people.

The meteorological department has forecasted continued rainfall across several parts of the country, with over 40 counties expected to receive heavy rainfall in the coming days.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announced that the government has allocated four billion shillings (about 30 million U.S. dollars) for an immediate response to the rain's impact.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nairobi.
(XHTV)