In a statement issued on Friday, Met said parts of the Lake
Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and the Highlands West of the Rift Valley will
experience rainfall exceeding 20 millimetres within 24 hours.
The rains are expected to spread to the Highlands East of
the Rift Valley on Sunday, with a reduction in intensity projected from
Wednesday, August 20.
“The heavy rainfall is likely to continue up to Tuesday. It
is projected to reduce in intensity from Wednesday,” Met said.
The advisory indicates that strong southerly winds of more
than 25 knots, equivalent to 12.9 metres per second, are currently being
experienced over the eastern sector and are expected to persist.
The department classified the warning as medium in urgency
and moderate in severity, with a 33 to 66 percent probability of occurrence.
Residents in the affected regions have been cautioned to be
on the lookout for potential flash floods and poor visibility.
“People leaving downstream rivers and along seasonal rivers
should be careful since water may appear suddenly even though it may not be
raining within the area,” the advisory warned.
The department also urged the public to avoid driving
through or walking in moving water and open fields.
It further advised against seeking shelter under trees or
near grilled windows due to the risk of lightning strikes.
Strong winds, the advisory noted, may cause destruction by
blowing off roofs, uprooting trees, and damaging property.
Kenya Met said the warning has been communicated to the
Presidency, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, the
National Intelligence Service, Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya
Maritime Authority, the National Disaster Operations Centre, as well as county
governments and disaster management units for action.
