Mandera County has initiated a comprehensive flood preparedness plan to safeguard residents and property against flash flooding. The Municipality has intensified drainage works, cleared waterways, and reinforced vulnerable riverbanks to curb the risk of flooding. This proactive approach aims to strengthen the town's drainage system against increased stormwater and protect areas that have previously suffered from flooding and erosion.
The Municipality has prioritized early interventions in flood-prone zones, including the clearing and desilting of culverts and the upgrading of existing drainage infrastructure. According to Mandera Municipal Manager Motker Mohamed Noor, the Municipality has undertaken protection works along the two main existing riparian areas. Additionally, stepped gabion protection works have been implemented along Busle streams to control stream-bank erosion.
Several areas in Mandera County have been identified as vulnerable to flash floods, including Bulla Barwaqo, Bulla Township, and Bulla Green. Bulla Barwaqo faces exposure to floodwater originating from Somalia, while Bulla Township is at risk of runoff from Bulla Hawa, and Bulla Green from water flowing in from Qarba Qoley. To mitigate these risks, the Municipality has constructed a 650-meter trapezoidal drainage channel in Bulla Barwaqo to ease the movement of stormwater and reduce flooding.
Routine maintenance is underway, including the cleaning and unclogging of culverts within Mandera's Central Business District. Additional works are planned to unclog, repair, and maintain culverts and open side drains in areas where drainage capacity falls short. Roads serving critical public facilities, such as markets, hospitals, schools, and mosques, have been prioritized, with some earmarked for an upgrade to gravel standard to improve access during the rainy season.
The county is also emphasizing the importance of residents taking precautions at the household level. Noor cautioned against blocking natural waterways with makeshift barriers, noting that some residents have resorted to using murram to build barriers around their compounds, which can obstruct water channels and divert floodwater into neighboring homes. Residents planning to build dykes, terraces, embankments, or other flood-protection structures have been advised to seek technical guidance from the Municipality.
The public has been urged to steer clear of low-lying, flood-prone areas during heavy rainfall and to never attempt to cross fast-moving floodwater on foot or in vehicles. Households have also been encouraged to inspect and repair roofs and make arrangements to protect children, older persons, and persons with disabilities. This preparedness drive comes as Mandera continues to grapple with increasingly erratic weather patterns.
Mandera County's proactive measures aim to minimize damage to homes and infrastructure while keeping essential services and road access running through the rainy season. The county's efforts to address drainage bottlenecks and reinforce at-risk areas ahead of the rains demonstrate a shift towards prevention and early action. By taking these steps, the county hopes to reduce the impact of flash flooding and protect its residents.
Key points
- Mandera County has constructed a 650-meter trapezoidal drainage channel in Bulla Barwaqo to ease stormwater movement and reduce flooding.
- The Municipality has prioritized early interventions in flood-prone zones, including clearing and desilting culverts and upgrading existing drainage infrastructure.
- Residents are advised to seek technical guidance from the Municipality before building flood-protection structures to avoid interfering with natural drainage.
