Winds destroy four hotels and dozens of beach structures in Kisumu and Vihiga
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Heavy rain and strong winds on Sunday evening levelled four hotels and dozens of makeshift structures at Dunga Beach in Kisumu and destroyed three homes in Vihiga County, injuring four people.
Heavy rains that began on Sunday evening escalated into strong winds that destroyed four hotels and flattened dozens of makeshift structures at Dunga Beach in Kisumu, leaving traders counting losses, Citizen Digital reported. Four people were injured in the incident.
Traders said the weather changed within moments. Josephine Ondiek, a trader at the beach, described how people were left stranded, while Emmanuel Otieno said the winds were so intense that residents feared they would not survive. Fransisca Odhiambo said her house was destroyed and an electricity pole collapsed, forcing residents to flee.
In Vihiga County, strong winds and rain flattened crops and destroyed three houses in Em'machika village. Joseph Ondere said he was forced out of his home after the roof was blown away, and Wilberforce Kuta said a fallen tree had brought down an electricity line, prompting residents to ask Kenya Power for help.
The Kenya Meteorological Department had issued alerts over heavy rains, strong winds and thunderstorms during the past week, warning residents in areas including the Lake Victoria Basin of possible destruction. Its latest forecast projects another spell of heavy rain, with affected residents awaiting assistance from disaster management authorities.
At Dunga Beach, some traders were trying to reinforce their structures before the next downpour while others were left with debris scattered across the ground.