Residents fear El Nino could cause bursting of lakes in Baringo

A submerged Lake Baringo Reptile Park in 2013. Heavy rains caused the swelling of Lake Baringo in 2013, forcing the park to relocate its reptiles to safer ground. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

NAKURU: The news that El Nino rains will pound the country anytime have put hundreds of residents living along lakes Baringo and Bogoria in a panic.

In 2013, the two lakes experienced unprecedented increases in their water levels, resulting in calamitous flooding that inundated entire villages. The swollen lakes marooned villages, cut off health centres, tourist lodges and more than 10 schools.

For some months, businesses were forced to shut down, the most affected being the Roberts Camp which was marooned for weeks while majority had water levels reaching to their door steps. At Salabani primary school on the shores of Lake Baringo, lessons were conducted under trees after the lake’s rising levels forced pupils out of class. “We are scared that if indeed the El Nino rains will fall, our children will be more at risk given that this area has seen its fair share of crocodile attacks,” said Christine Lokeremo, a resident of Kampi Samaki.

Mrs Lokeromo says when lake water creeps closer to villages, crocodiles swim further ashore. In the past, the deadly reptiles have been seen crawling through village streets and napping outside people’s front doors.

UNUSUAL RAIN

One resident said crocodiles attacked his goats, while a fisherman said he and his team survived several attacks as they tried to work on the lake shore.

“Pupils who come from far have to use canoes to reach their schools and are prone to crocodile attacks. The government needs to put in place measures to prevent lose of life,” said Lokeremo. The Baringo government has created a disaster-response unit to deal with the consequences of flooding. Governor Benjamin Cheboi cautioned residents living in low land areas to remain alert during the rains, saying rivers draining to lakes Baringo and Bogoria are expected to burst and cause flooding.

To mitigate this, Cheboi said the county has bought motorboats to help in rescue operations.

In 2013, the county government spend more than Sh20 million in relocating and repairing roads around Lake Bogoria, one of Kenya’s six UNESCO World Heritage sites and home to flamingos, hot springs and geysers.

James Kimaru, senior park warden at Lake Bogoria National Reserve, said the unusually heavy rainfall and swelling of the lake impacted negatively on tourism. Experts say the swelling of the two lakes could have been caused by a combination of factors, including underground geological shifts, increased rainfall, siltation and loss of vegetation.