Kenya on Friday, May 3, 2024, received heavy rains that fell overnight and extended to Saturday, May 4 morning resulting to floods that have affected several roads.
Most parts of the country experienced heavy downpour overnight which has resulted in disruption of different services such as transport.
Here are the latest updates on the floods experienced in different parts of the country.
Saturday, May 4
5:30pm: Kindiki Issues Update on Relocation & Evacuation
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announces that as at 12 noon today, 138 camps spread across 18 Counties have already been set up to offer temporary shelter to members of the public displaced by the prevailing floods.
According to CS Kindiki, the camps are hosting 62,061 persons from 14,771 households who are being supported with food and non-food essentials until the floods subside.
The list of the actual location of the temporary shelter camps in each County has been published and is publicly displayed at the offices of the respective Assistant Chiefs, Chiefs, Assistant County Commissioners, Deputy County Commissioners and County Commissioners.
4:20pm: Road Closed
Kamulu-Joska Road closed as water levels rise, cutting off road.
2:57pm: Kenya Red Cross
The Kenya Red Cross announces that earlier today, the organization responded to a distress call in Malaa, Machakos, evacuating 17 people—8 adults and 9 minors—who were surrounded by floodwaters.
According to Red Cross, the families are currently being hosted by neighbors.
1:44 pm: KeNHA Update on Nairobi – Nakuru Highway
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) issued an update on traffic jam being experienced along the Naivasha – Nairobi Highway.
According to KeNHA, the road particularly the section between Soko Mjinga and Flyover is experiencing flooding as a result of heavy downpour.
The authority further announced that traffic queues are building up either side.
Motorists were advised to approach the section with caution and avoid overlapping so as to enable the police and traffic marshals to clear the queues within the shortest time possible.
Closure of Road After Floods
The Authority announces the closure of Laisamis – South Horr (B74) Road at Namarai area due to a washout that occurred at the section occasioned by the heavy rains experienced in the region.
KeNHA cautioned all road users against any attempts to use the affected section of the road in the interest of their safety.
Further, the Authority assured the public that it is actively monitoring the situation and will provide updates as the water recedes for restoration works to commence.
12:53pm: Partial opening of Mai Mahiu – Suswa – Narok (B7) Road
Further to an update on the closure of the Mai Mahiu – Suswa section of the B7 Road, KeNHA announced that traffic flow has partially been restored and opened to traffic.
However, heavy rains continue pounding the area hampering complete restoration. Motorists are advised to exercise caution as they drive through the affected sections and follow guidance from traffic marshals lest they get stuck on silt deposits.
The affected sections fall between the Weighbridge and Suswa Ranch (from 14km to 40km from Mai Mahiu).
1:20 pm: Kenya Met Update on Cyclone Hidaya
The Kenya Met Department (KMD) announced that current observations indicate that Tropical Cyclone Hidaya has made landfall on the coast of Tanzania.
KMD further said that another depression is developing behind it the cyclone which the department is closely monitoring.
According to the weatherman, heavy rainfall is expected offshore along the Kenyan coast from Sunday, May 5th, intensifying on Monday, May 6th, to Tuesday, May 7th, 2024.
The effects of the cyclone are already being felt offshore, with strong winds exceeding 40 knots (20.6 m/s) and large waves surpassing two meters,” added Kenya met.
Residents, particularly in coastal regions and individuals involved in marine activities in the Indian Ocean, were encouraged to take maximum precautions.
Earlier: The heavy rains came following an alert from the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) which warned of continued downpour throughout the weekend.
Most residents, particularly within the Nairobi Area complained of experiencing the adverse effects of the heavy rains.
Images shared online and seen by The Kenya Times showed most estates and roads flooded causing traffic disruption and even rendering others impassable.
Other reported cases of destruction include destruction of property, flooding of houses near rivers and drainages as well as open pit latrines.
Floods on roads
Among the roads where traffic disruption has been reported include Mombasa Road particularly at the Imara Daima section.
Other roads that have been affected by the floods are Thika Road, Rongai – Kiserian Road, Kangundo Road at Chokaa and the Nakuru – Nairobi Highway at the stretch between Soko Mjinga and Flyover.
Also Read: Cyclone Hidaya: All You Need to Know About Storm Set to Hit Kenya
KMD in its weekly forecast spanning between 30th April to 6th May 2024 announced that heavy rains are expected to continue over several parts of the country.
Weatherman warns of heavy rains
“Heavy rainfall events were likely to occur in some parts of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, the South-eastern lowlands, North-western and North-eastern Kenya,” said KMD.
Also Read: FLOODS LIVE UPDATES: Choppers Deployed to Rescue Tourists Trapped in Maasai Mara Floods
The weatherman further warned that flooding was expected in low-lying areas, those in flood plains as well as in urban areas with poor drainage.
Landslides on the other hand were predicted to occur on steep slopes where soils become saturated.
In most parts of the Coast, North-eastern and North-western Kenya, KMD predicted that High average daytime (maximum) temperatures of more than 30oC would be experienced
At the same time, Average night-time (minimum) temperatures were predicted over much of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley and the South-eastern lowlands.
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