Kisumu City’s Dunga Beach began flooding yesterday, with water levels fluctuating at different times of the day.
However, today was different. Traders at the Dunga Beach fish market reported to work as usual, only to find the market significantly flooded. While the flooding was not life threatening, it was an economic risk for the fish traders.
Dunga Beach is one of Lake Victoria’s popular beaches on the Kenyan side. Since Lake Victoria is a fresh-water lake, it serves as Kenya’s greatest and most reliable source of fish.
Hence, it provides a great livelihood for thousands of locals. While some do the fishing, others do the selling, and still others provide transportation and other fish-related services.
Sunday Fish Sales Normally the Highest
Sunday is normally the traders’ best business day of the week. This is when people who are busy the rest of the week find time to spare to visit the beach.
Dunga Beach is a favorite spot for locals going for dates and family outings. It is also popular with visitors from Nairobi, Nakuru, and other parts of the country.
Considering the massive loads of fresh fish the traders had stocked for today’s sales, they risk losing tens of thousands of shillings from today’s business alone.
Not only were the fish selling stalls flooded, but also the hotels from where customers enjoy their fish once it has been prepared.
While some traders had to contend with an unusual number of carry-over fish, others were lucky. They used their customer relations skills to make deals with their old customers.
They would call and offer unusually better terms. To some customers, they offered prices lower than the market rate, and to others, uncommon credit terms.
Such business wit ensured the traders did not make losses, but at least, recouped their day’s costs.
Good News as Cyclone Hidaya Loses Momentum
Meanwhile, there is a glimpse of hope for the rest of the country, as the forecast Cyclone Hidaya seems to have lost momentum.
In Tanzania, weather experts have already confirmed the cyclone has lost its power, and is unlikely to cause further damage. The cyclone had already caused havoc in parts of Tanzania’s Mafia Island, including destroying houses.
It had been feared that Cyclone Hidaya would exacerbate the flooding situation already in Kenya and Tanzania. Hence, the two countries had begun taking precautionary measures.
In Tanzania, for example, the government had halted the ferry operations between Zanzibar Island and Dar-es-salaam.
In Kenya, the meteorological department sent out a warning to everybody, to be weary of potential heavy rains along the coast. The weather experts underlined the riskiest days as Sunday, May 5th up to Tuesday, May 7th.
Consequently, Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki, directed that normal beach activities cease for the time being. These include fishing and swimming.
Kindiki also advised people to avoid unnecessary travels to the Kenyan coast during this risky period.