Amboseli Airstrip still closed even as waters recede inside national park

Amboseli Airstrip still closed even as waters recede inside national park

Operations at the Amboseli Airstrip remained suspended on Saturday morning following heavy rains that caused flooding.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said the flood waters at the Amboseli National Park Kimana Gate had subsided and the park remains open to visitors.

“However, the airstrip is still closed and we are closely monitoring. For updates, please call the hotline number: 0716493335,” the statement reads.

AirKenya had issued an alert to travelers regarding the closed the airstrip on Thursday.

“The airstrip will be reopened when conditions become favorable and we will update you as soon as we resume operations. We regret the inconveniences this closure will undoubtedly cause,” the airline said.

KWS further noted that most of the roads inside national parks across the country had been adversely affected by heavy rains.

On Saturday, the State corporation posted pictures from inside the Amboseli National Park saying normal operations have resumed.

 

On Thursday, property worth millions of shillings was destroyed at Larsens Camp, a five-star holiday establishment inside the Samburu National Reserve.

This after River Ewaso Nyiro broke its banks due to heavy downpour.

Visitors who had booked accommodation at the luxury camp had to be relocated to a different facility within the reserve.

Meanwhile, the Water Resources Authority has issued an alert to citizens living around the Tana Delta over an overflowing Kiambere dam.

“All people living along River Tana especially from Danjere to Kipini are advised to move to higher grounds following the overflow to avoid loss of lives and property,” WRA chief executive Mohamed Shurie said on Friday.

He noted that at 1235pm, the dam had reached it full capacity of 700.00 m.A.S.L and began overflowing.

According to him, it will take 24 hours for the flow to reach Garissa, another 48hours to reach Hola and 48 hours to reach Garsen.

WRA further stated that Sasumwa and Ruiru Dams are also overflowing while Ndakaini Dam is at 96 percent and it is expected to achieve full capacity by the end of the month if the rains continue with the same intensity.

“However there is no cause for alarm around these three dams as the rivers surrounding them are not full,” Mr. Shurie added.

On December 3, Government Spokesman Cyrus Oguna revealed that the death toll following flooding in several parts of the country was at 132.

He also reported that approximately 330,000 people were affected by the rains that continue to pound various parts of the country.

“17,000 have also been displaced and an undetermined number of people have been either marooned or cut off by floods with over 11,000 livestock swept away,” he added.

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floods larsens camp Samburu National Reserve

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