This archive report was first published on 18 May 2020.
Experts Call for Urgent Action as Lake Victoria Water Levels Rise ¶
Water levels in Lake Victoria have now officially exceeded a historic mark, reaching 13.42 meters due to relentless downpours in the region.
According to the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), the water volume in Africa's largest freshwater lake has increased marginally compared to the 13.41 meter mark recorded on May 5, 1964.
LVBC has proposed regional strategies for emergency and disaster preparedness to avert more deaths and destruction.
LVBC executive secretary Ali-Said Matano stated, 'We now have to take urgent action as over 200,000 people have already been displaced in Kenya and Uganda.'
Experts assessed the situation to mitigate against the serious effects of flooding.
Dr Matano noted, 'With the ongoing rains expected to continue, the water levels may rise further, aggravating more the challenges of flooding especially on the Kenyan side which has more rivers that drain into Lake Victoria.'
The county government has put the number of displaced persons at 32,000, but the number could be more, with those affected seeking refuge in rescue centres for weeks now.
Residents, who majorly rely on working as casual labourers in the neighbouring farms to fend for their families, have nowhere to turn to after over 50 hectares of rice field were covered in water.
LVBC has called on development partners, private sector players, and other well-wishers to support the current initiative being undertaken by the respective governments to mitigate against the serious effects on flooding.
LVBC executive secretary Ali-Said Matano stated, 'The immediate needs now include food, shelter, sanitation, and basic medical facilities especially now with the current Covid-19 pandemic.'
Ugandan Water Minister Sam Cheptoris attributed the backflow and increased flooding to the emergence of several floating islands that has led to the blockage of River Nile, which is the only outflow of Lake Victoria.
LVBC spoke as Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o called on the East African Community (EAC) heads of states to urgently intervene over the alarming rise of Lake Victoria waters.
He pointed out that lack of proper controls of water flows at Owen Falls dam by the neighbouring Uganda has caused Lake Victoria's waters to swell to record levels, submerging landing sites and homes.
14 governors under the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) have embarked on a push to have dams built along rivers Nzoia, Yala, and Nyando alongside dykes as part of long-term solutions to the perennial flooding problems in the region.
