Kenya Red Cross Deploys Chopper to Rescue Tourists from Flooded Maasai Mara Camps

The Kenya Red Cross, in collaboration with the Narok County government, has rescued 61 tourists from 14 camps in the Talek area of the Maasai Mara National Reserve after heavy rains caused the Talek River to burst its banks, leading to widespread flooding in the region. The rescue operation involved evacuating 36 people by air and another 25 through an aqua rescue team.

The Narok County government deployed two helicopters to carry out the evacuations in the conservation area. All the tourists and locals were accounted for, and the visitors were taken to nearby camps and hotels. The damage caused is estimated to be in millions of shillings, as some of the structures were destroyed beyond repair.

Why this matters: The flooding in the Maasai Mara highlights the vulnerability of tourist facilities located near rivers and the need for robust emergency response plans. It also emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change on fragile ecosystems and local communities that depend on tourism.

The Kenyan government has ordered the evacuation of hotels and camps bordering rivers in national parks and reserves following the incident. Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza have called for individuals to relocate to safer areas and for hotels and camps adjacent to rivers within national parks and reserves to prepare for potential evacuations in case of river overflows.

The heavy rains have caused extensive property damage and loss of life in other parts of the country, with the death toll from the Kijabe River flood incident reaching 71 people. More than 170 people have died across Kenya since mid-March due to the ongoing rainy season, which has caused flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage.

The government has warned people living in flood-prone areas to evacuate or be moved forcefully as water levels in two major hydroelectric dams rise to a "historic high". The Kenya National Highways Authority has closed several roads due to the heavy rainfall and flooding, which has also affected other parts of the country, leading to 179 deaths, 90 people reported missing, and the displacement of 31,341 households.

Governor Ntutu assured the public that the county government is working closely with the Kenya Red Cross and other agencies to ensure the safety of those affected by the floods. "We are doing everything possible to evacuate people from the affected areas and provide them with the necessary assistance," he said. The rescue operation in the Maasai Mara is ongoing, with the Kenya Red Cross and the Mara Elephant Project conducting search and rescue efforts to ensure that all individuals are accounted for and brought to safety.

Key Takeaways

• 61 tourists rescued from 14 camps in Maasai Mara due to flooding
• Rescue involved air evacuation of 36 people and aqua rescue of 25
• Flooding caused extensive property damage, estimated in millions of shillings
• Kenyan govt ordered evacuation of hotels/camps near rivers in national parks
• Ongoing heavy rains have caused 179 deaths, 90 missing, 31,341 displaced