Very sad sad state of affairs that was largely avoidable.
Prof. Wangari Mutua Maathai warned us that nature is unforgiving, if you destroy it, it destroys you.
The tragedy is despite clear understanding of the limits of the riparian land , colonial and post colonial governments allowed human settlement on it. The original land owners subdivided and sold plots to the poor.
Now the poor families face this unmitigated tragedy.
A key point. Exercise due diligence before purchasing land.