Lake areas on alert as heavy rains soak Kenya this week

Heavy rains could leave more parts of the country under water this week, the weatherman has warned.

Dr David Gikungu issued a red alert for heavy rains covering nearly the entire country. He said there is more than a 66 per cent chance the rains will come as predicted.

He particularly asked authorities to watch out for people around Lake Victoria and near the Coast.

Thousands of people in these areas are already displaced by floods, and this week could be worse.

He said areas around Lake Victoria will receive more than 40mm of rain, which is usually described as “heavy”.

Around the Coast, the rains will cross 50mm in 24 hours, to be described as “very heavy” or “violent rains”.

“Strong winds may blow off roofs, uproot trees, and cause structural damages,” Gikungu said in a statement.

The warning has already been shared with the Presidency, National Intelligence Service, Kenya Red Cross, and the counties among other relevant bodies.

Although the Lake and Coast regions were isolated for possible flooding, the heavy rains forecast covers 43 counties.

These  counties are Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya, Migori, Busia, Kisii, Nyamira, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Narok, Baringo, Nakuru, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Nairobi, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, Taita Taveta, Mombasa, Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale, Marsabit, Garissa and Isiolo.

Gikungu said the downpour is likely to intensify from Monday to Thursday this week along the Coast. “The heavy rainfall is likely to be accompanied by gusty winds, large ocean waves, and strong southerly winds in the Southeastern region,”  he said.

April is the peak month for the March-May long rains season.

The ongoing downpour has already displaced thousands of families across Kenya.

On Friday, Homa Bay County Commissioner Moses Lilan said more than 500 families in four villages in Karachuonyo constituency have been displaced.

Some of the homes in Konyango, Komenya, Kasirawa and Kawuor Agindo villages in the Wang' Chieng location have been surrounded by water.

The floods were caused by an overflow of water from River Miriu last week.

“Areas such as Kobala, Osodo and Kobuya in Karachuonyo, Kochia in Rangwe and Homa Bay town, Ndhiwa and Suba are flood-prone areas. Let residents in such areas move to higher grounds,” he said.

Large parts of the Northeastern region are also underwater.

Last week, the Kenya National Highways Authority temporarily closed the North Horr - Kalacha (B75) Road due to flooding in the area.

"This has been occasioned by flooding in the area resulting from the ongoing heavy rains in Marsabit county and the Ethiopian Highlands," Kenha said in a statement.

In his announcement, Gikungu asked residents in the 43 counties to be on the lookout for potential floods, flash floods, and reduced visibility.

“Flood waters may appear in places where it has not rained heavily, especially downstream. Residents are advised to avoid driving through, or walking in moving water or open fields and not to shelter under trees and near grilled windows to minimise exposure to lightning strikes,” he said.

Last week, the Kenya News Agency also reported that more than three hundred families in about 100 homesteads in Koricha and Dahagabochi areas in Marsabit were displaced after floods destroyed their homes and property.

“The damage could be much bigger as unconfirmed reports are indicating that small stocks  such as sheep and goats have been swept away by the deluge,” area MCA, Tulu Elema said.

A County meeting organised by Pastoralist Community Initiative Development Assistance called on residents in flood-prone lowlands to relocate to higher grounds to prevent loss of lives and property.

Chaired by county commissioner Nobert Komora, the meeting resolved that a comprehensive rapid assessment be conducted to ascertain the extent of damage caused by the floods so that proper interventions can be made.

Rains in the neighbouring Ethiopian highlands has caused the rejuvenation of seasonal rivers, giving rise to flash floods.

Persistent rainstorms have destroyed two ECDE centres, downed six power poles in North Horr town, and made roads including Gas and Dukana impassable.

The Kalacha-North Horr section of the Marsabit –North Horr road is currently inaccessible after several seasonal rivers served with drift bridges sprung up.

This has left the region without supply of essential commodities leading to a hike in prices of food items.