Flash flood washes out road in Kenya, Africa

9 months ago
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The rains in Kenya, Africa are a welcome sight, especially after months of drought that leave crops wilted and fields parched. But the rains can come on with a vengeance and a river can suddenly swell where only a trickle or a dry gravel bed stood moments before. These people near Kisii Village use this road to travel from the village to schools, places of work, and between homes. Runoff from a torrential rain reached this crossing and washed it out in minutes, leaving people standing on both sides, hesitant to cross. As they stood, considering their options, a few of the more adventurous ones linked arms and waded across.
Washouts can erode the dirt beneath very quickly, causing deep depressions that people can fall into. Losing your footing in a fast moving stream like this one could see a person swept away and struggling to get out without injury. The water quickly became faster and the washed out section became deeper. The rain began again, adding to the runoff and making it obvious that things would get worse before they got better.
As these people lined up, waiting for things to subside, or contemplating their choices, one of the children headed for school recorded the scene to show his teacher why he was late. The result is fascinating footage that shows the power of nature after one brief, but heavy rain.

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