Embu: Embu County Commissioner Jack Obuo has issued a warning to residents residing in landslide-prone areas to remain vigilant as heavy rains continue to batter the region. This warning follows a significant landslide in Kamutungi Village, Embu West Sub-county, which occurred last Tuesday, impacting over three acres of farmland and disrupting the livelihoods of more than 10 families.

According to Kenya News Agency, the landslide, which occurred at 7 am, fortunately resulted in no injuries. However, it left behind a gaping trench nearly 10 feet deep, stretching over 500 meters, as the land was carried away into River Ena. The landslide devastated crops such as arrowroots, muguka stems, trees, beehives, bananas, and sugarcane. Additionally, government-owned land, previously used as a water intake for Embu-Mbeere in the 1970s, was affected, leading to the destruction of pumps and water pipes following their relocation to the upper side of River Ena.

The County Commissioner has urged residents to refrain from engaging in any activities in the affected area until a thorough assessment is conducted. “We have cordoned off the area until the situation is addressed,” he stated, while discussing the flooding situation from his office on Monday. The County Disaster Management Committee is currently evaluating the impact of the ongoing rains and is promoting safety measures for communities in landslide-prone locations.

Joshua Kinyua, one of the affected residents, expressed the community’s plight, stating that the landslide had left them in a dire situation as their crops, integral to their livelihood, were destroyed. He appealed to the government for assistance in rebuilding their lives and expressed concern over emerging cracks in other parts of the area.

In addition to the landslide concerns, the County Commissioner noted that authorities are closely monitoring the situation at the rapidly filling Seven Forks Dams. “Our teams are on the ground to get real-time data on the dam’s situation and disseminate the same to the relevant authorities,” he reported.