Nairobi – The Ministry of Interior and National Administration has issued an urgent flood warning for residents along Kenya’s Lower Tana River after heavy rains in the upper catchment have raised water levels in the Seven Forks dam system.
The ministry announced on Wednesday that the Tana River Basin is on high alert. Continuous rainfall in the upper Tana region, including the slopes of Mt. Kenya, has caused a rapid inflow into the Seven Forks hydropower dams. Reservoirs such as Masinga Dam have already recorded sharp increases in water level.
To mitigate the risk of overtopping, controlled releases are under way at Kamburu, Gitaru and Kindaruma dams. Authorities warned that if the rainfall persists or Kiambere Dam reaches capacity, further releases downstream may be required, heightening flood risk for communities in the lower basin and the Tana Delta.
Water levels along the Tana River are expected to rise steadily from 29 April. Projections indicate that by 1 May low‑lying areas in the lower basin could experience early flooding. The period between 2 May and 3 May has been identified as the peak‑risk window, when water levels are likely to be highest and could trigger widespread inundation in towns such as Garissa, Hola and Garsen, as well as surrounding floodplains and delta regions.
The ministry has urged residents to take immediate precautionary measures. Recommended actions include moving to higher ground where possible, relocating livestock, securing essential belongings, avoiding crossing rivers or walking through flowing water, and complying with instructions from local authorities and emergency response teams. Early action, officials emphasized, is essential to minimise loss of life and property.
The warning follows a pattern of increased flood vulnerability in the Tana River basin, where the Seven Forks dams play a critical role in water management and power generation. Continued monitoring and coordinated releases will be necessary to balance dam safety with downstream flood protection.
Residents are advised to stay informed through official channels and to follow any further updates from the Ministry of Interior and National Administration.
