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EA WHISPERS
By Isaac Mwangi, East African News Agency

Stop this annual tragicomedy of disasters

(EANA) – Regional governments have on many occasions trumpeted their preparedness to handle the consequences of natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, fires and storms. Various departments, ministries and other government organs have been put in place with the specific mandate of handling the aftermaths of disasters.

Despite such measures, however, the ongoing rains in East Africa have demonstrated an appalling lack of preparedness. The media has been awash with news of the destruction and suffering caused by these heavy rains.

Of course, the benefits of the rainy season cannot be underestimated. This is the main planting season; a successful rainy season translates into food security for millions of our citizens, especially those in the rural areas. Moreover, water resources have been recharged and pastures regenerated.

But these benefits are not without a high price that is becoming evident throughout East Africa. In Uganda, dozens have died and hundreds displaced as a result of raging floods. Properties worth hundreds of millions of shillings have been destroyed .in Kasese district, with the Red Cross appealing for $21.4 million to help the victims. The government deployed regional risk disaster officers in all disaster prone regions.

In Kenya, 74 people were reported to have lost their lives by 4th May. According to the Kenya Red Cross, 40 of these deaths occurred in the Rift Valley as a result offloods and landslides. The rest of the deaths were mainly in Nyanza and Coast regions. The Mombasa-Tanga road was partially cut-off. Marsabit, Isiolo and Budalangiwere all badly hit by floods due to their level terrain. The Tana River burst its banks, displacing thousands and destroying property worth millions of shillings.

Tanzania has also had its share of destruction from the ongoing rains. Twenty people from the commercial capital Dar es Salaam are reported to have lost their lives, while hundreds were rendered homeless. Residents of Mabibo, Msimbazi Valley, Jangwani and Kigogo were displaced, with the state offering to help them put up permanent houses in Mabwepande. They have since returned to their former flood-prone areas despite warning of imminent danger by the Tanzanian Meteorological Authority.

Rwanda, too, has not been spared the wrath of nature, with floods displacing thousands of people in the northwestern region.

As a result of the floods wreaking havoc throughout the region, infrastructure such as roads, bridges and electricity poles has been destroyed, classrooms have been brought down and homes damaged, and fertile productive land has been flooded. Other effects have been the loss of revenue, reduced manpower and general impoverishment.

It is in recognition of the dangers posed by floods and other natural disasters that the United Nations made10th October the international day for natural disaster reduction, reminding the world of the importance of disaster prevention, mitigation and preparation. Alot of emphasis should be put on these aspects to stop the ridiculous cycle of natural disasters in the region. Why predictable annual flooding and drought seasons should always find us totally unprepared and vulnerable beats all logic.

The national departments of meteorology have been doing their part of by warning of imminent dangers. Our regional governments through the necessary organs need to tackle the issues of disaster prevention, mitigation and preparation more seriously to avoid the loss of lives and destruction of properties that is witnessed annually. The enormous resources used for repairing damages caused by various disasters can be better employed to prevent those disasters from happening in the first instance. Landslides, floods, storms, lightning, fires and all other forms of natural calamities need not find us unprepared. The loss of lives as a result of many of these disasters is totally unconscionable.

Construction of dykes, pumping stations, tunnels, water gates, road gullies and other devices to stop flood waters should be enhanced. Drainage systems in our towns and cities need to be improved. Residents of regions prone to floods and landslides should also be evacuated tohigher ground well before the onset of floods to prevent loss of lives.

Because rainy seasons are invariably followed by dry spells, water harvesting should be encouraged. Water reservoirs should be constructed and reinforced to hold as much water as possible for future use.

It is only well thought-out measures and policies that will bring to an end this annual misery of natural floods and other calamities that are visited upon residents of East Africa.