NAIROBI - Up to 3,000 Kenyans were forced to leave their homes on the coast after a river draining into the Indian Ocean burst its banks and flooded their homes, a senior government official said on Tuesday.
Emerging from a severe drought that killed scores of people, the east African country has in recent weeks received pounding rains that have also forced thousands in the northeastern region from their homes.
The coast and northeastern regions were hardest hit by the drought.
"There has been a lot of rain upstream and as a result, the Sabaki river burst its banks," said Jan Ireri, district commissioner of the coastal Malindi District.
"Three thousand people were affected. Their homes and farms were submerged, but in the last four days or so, the water has receded to its normal level."
In total, 10,000 people had lost their crops growing by the banks of the river, Ireri said, adding no one was reported injured.
He said the displaced had been asked not to move back into the area until a government expert assessed the damage.
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REUTERS Pious 'Vandals' Get Stick Over Cyprus Tree Felling [FYSYFNK]
NICOSIA - The Cypriot tradition of cutting down trees at Easter to make bonfires for effigies of Judas Iscariot is being attacked by the island's Green party, who say it damages the environment.
The Environmentalists Party urged authorities to intervene on Tuesday after getting reports trees were being felled for firewood at celebrations after Orthodox Easter mass celebrated on April 23.
This year people cut down two 200-year old terebinths, or turpentines, and cypress trees on an estate belonging to President Tassos Papadopoulos, the party said.
"It is really an issue of educating people. Some might regard it as an easy solution for firewood, seeing a tall tree and saying, 'oh, I'll cut that one down'," said party spokeswoman Ioanna Panayiotou, adding "Its a yearly phenomenon."
People who cut down trees illegally face jail terms under Cypriot law.
But in rural areas youths compete to make the biggest pyre, known as a "lambradjia" and place on top an effigy of Judas Iscariot, the disciple whom Christians believe betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
