The waters of several Kenyan lakes in the Great Rift Valley have been rising and in the process flooding many hotels, farms and residences. Thousands of people have been flooded out of their homes and many businesses have lost their livelihoods.
The flooding follows many months of unusually heavy rain but illegal deforestation and climate change also contribute to the problem. What is happening is very alarming and threatens not only the people but the wildlife.
Lake Baringo is freshwater and Bogoria is salt water. At one time these lakes were one about 12.5 miles (20 kms) apart but now are so close together that experts fear they could contaminate each other and further threaten wildlife and the people. The lakes have risen at least 30-40 feet and are rising daily.
Even Lake Nakuru adjacent to which Kenya's 3rd largest city, Nakuru is situated, is flooding. I read from one tourist who said that the Baboon Point I showed you about a week ago (see this post) shows that 75% of the park has been flooded. This seems totally unreal to me.
Attacks on people by crocodiles and hippos have escalated, many schools and hospital have been flooded or cut off from their student and patient groups and wildlife has had food supply affected.
Given the back drop of all this sad news it makes my memories and my photos all the more important to me. I may never get another chance to enjoy and experience what I enjoyed in earlier trips. Many of the pelicans and flamingos have disappeared from the lakes and I'm not sure where they have gone.
Here is a video for those interested in seeing the rising lakes. In the first few minutes you will see a huge building with thatched roof. That is the Soi Lodge located on the shores of Lake Baringo and where I stayed when I visited the area.
This is a photo toward the lake from the Soi Lodge.
I was greeted by ostriches at the entry to the lodge.
I am linking with Eileen and others at Saturday's Critters.
