 |
| Photo courtesy |
An advanced early warning system for flood management has been installed at Nyando River to mitigate the impact of flooding in the region.
The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), an organization representing countries that share the Nile River—including Kenya—has delivered the new hydrological monitoring system.
Dr. Florence Adongo, Executive Director of NBI, explained that the deployment of this equipment aligns with the recommendations made by the Council of Ministers of the NBI.
Adongo noted that the system is capable of sending alerts about rising water levels in the Nyando River. "The device captures data every ten minutes and transmits it to our offices for analysis," she said.
Nyando River has a history of overflowing, causing severe flooding that results in significant damage to agriculture and loss of life among humans and animals alike. The new system is designed to provide timely warnings, giving residents the chance to evacuate to higher ground before floods occur.
During a press conference on Thursday at Ogilo Bridge, where the system was installed, Adongo highlighted that the data will be communicated to offices in Kisumu, Nairobi, and Entebbe, where NBI's headquarters are located.
The technology utilizes satellite communication to transmit precise water level data, eliminating the need for physical visits to collect information. "Our technical team will monitor the water levels continuously and coordinate with the government to ensure communities are promptly warned of any imminent flooding," Adongo said.
Calvins Wara, an NBI hydrologist, revealed that similar systems have been installed in five other rivers within Kenya to track water levels. Wara added that NBI shares this data with relief organizations such as the Kenya Red Cross to aid in their response and planning efforts.
"We are focusing on water points that feed into the Nile River to gather crucial information that will help protect our communities from flooding," Wara said.
Nicholas Awande, Chairman of the Nyando River Water Users' Association, praised the new system as vital for reducing the impact of floods. "Frequent flooding has caused schools to close and families to lose their property. With this new equipment, we are confident that the damage will be significantly reduced," Awande stated.