The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has identified three regions that will experience storms and heavy rainfall from Sunday, December 10 amid the El Nino.
In a statement on Saturday, December 9, KMD said starting Sunday 10, isolated storms and intense rainfall are forecasted for the Lake Victoria Basin, Western Kenya, and the Southern Rift Valley.
“Beginning Sunday 10th December, isolated storms and intense rainfall are forecast for the Lake Victoria Basin, Western Kenya and South Rift Valley.
Residents are forewarned to adhere to weather and flood alerts to avert more injuries and fatalities,” said KMD.
However, KMD noted that rainfall is anticipated across the country from December 10th to 15th, 2023.
“This encompasses the Lake Victoria Basin, central highlands, southeastern lowlands, southern rift valley, the coastal strip, and western Kenya,” read the statement.
Further, the weather man explained that parts of the Northwest and Northeast may also see occasional rains.
Nevertheless, KMD said northern Kenya is expected to maintain sunny and dry conditions.
El Nino Rains Update
In a statement on Friday, December 8, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura revealed that 168 people had died and 545,515 individuals displaced since the onset of the El Niño rains in October.
Mwaura appealed to Kenyans to avoid flooded areas, cooperate with evacuators, and strictly adhere to flood and weather alerts to avert more fatalities and injuries.
Further, he said rainfall is anticipated to persist across the Country’s Southern half from December 9th to December 15th.
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“This includes the Lake Victoria Basin, Central Highlands, Southeastern Rift Valley, the Coastal Strip and Western Kenya,” said Mwaura.
Additionally, he mentioned that the Tana River flooding will continue to affect the surrounding areas and is expected to disrupt movement along the Garsen – Lamu road.
“We urge residents to be on the lookout and act on alerts and warnings on the road status,” he said.
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Mitigation Efforts
In addition, Mwaura said the government is working round the clock through dedicated line agencies to repair the ravaged roads once the waters recede.
He stated that positive strides have been made in Northern Kenya, where previously impassable roads, including Isiolo Garbatulla – Modogashe-Wajir and Hola – Garsen, are now passable due to the concerted efforts of the Ministry of Roads and Transport.
“Additionally, in areas where roads have been cut off and submerged, the Kenya Navy and Kenya Coast Guard Services are stepping in to ferry passengers across these inaccessible sections,” he stated.
For instance, Mwaura said the Coast Guards and the Kenya Navy are facilitating passenger movement on the cut-off section of the Lamu – Witu Road, particularly at Gamba in the Lango la Simba area.
