Expect floods this week, experts warn

A flooded residential area in Nairobi after heavy rainfall. Wananchi in the Coastal region have been warned to expect heavy rains and possible flooding this week as El Niño kicks in. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Weather experts in the US have also warned Kenyans against ignoring warnings of El Niño rains following light showers across the country last week.
  • Closer home, the government Sunday set up a multi-agency team to coordinate how the country will respond to emergencies caused by the extreme weather expected to hit various regions.
  • Nairobi was yet to see any rain by Sunday but the department said city residents should brace themselves for heavy downpours in the second week of October.

Wananchi in the Coastal region have been warned to expect heavy rains and possible flooding this week as El Niño kicks in.

Weather experts in the US have also warned Kenyans against ignoring warnings of El Niño rains following light showers across the country last week.

Closer home, the government Sunday set up a multi-agency team to coordinate how the country will respond to emergencies caused by the extreme weather expected to hit various regions.

The team has advised the public to minimise travel for the duration of the heavy rains and take other precautions to prevent outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and malaria.

Weather charts and maps by the National Centre for Environmental Prediction, a US-based weather-forecaster, show that the Kenyan coast will start experiencing extreme weather this week. The harsh weather is expected to last until December.

The Meteorological Department said its predictions were correct and should not be ignored, no matter the day-to-day weather conditions.

BE CAREFUL
On Sunday, the department’s deputy director, Mr Ayub Shaka, said the rains had started in the western parts of the country and others would start experiencing similar weather soon.

“We are asking Kenyans to be more careful now. All measures should be put in place to ensure safety of all,” he said.

Nairobi was yet to see any rain by Sunday but the department said city residents should brace themselves for heavy downpours in the second week of October.

“In our statement last month, we said Nairobi would begin experiencing the rains in the second week of October and western at the beginning of the month. People should not doubt us. Right now it is raining in the western parts of the country,” Mr Shaka said in an interview with the Nation.

In anticipation of the destruction that might be caused by the rains, the national government has set aside Sh5 billion from its contingency fund and has also asked counties to set aside some money from their budgets to mitigate against the effects of the heavy rains.

The money will be used to repair roads and rehabilitate other destroyed infrastructure, including electricity lines.
“We received a strong signal of the El Niño rains. We do not want to compare its expected intensity with what happened before but we got a strong signal,” he said.

HEAVY STORMS

Deputy President William Ruto chaired a disaster preparedness meeting last month and said that other than the money set aside, about 70,000 National Youth Service personnel would be available to help in recovery and evacuation, should the need arise.

“This emergency situation calls for a wholesome intervention by the national and county governments, as well as other stakeholders, including the private sector and every Kenyan, in order to mitigate the possible negative effects, including the loss of lives and destruction of property,” Mr Ruto said.

Governors have protested that the government has not fully involved them in the preparations.

Besides the heavy rains, which cause flooding, wananchi have been warned to expect landslides and mudslides especially in the lower Tana, Nandi Hills and central Kenya, specifically Murang’a County.

Areas to watch out for flooding include the northeastern areas around Garissa, lower Tana, Kano plains and Budalang’i.

Heavy storms accompanied by lightning are also expected in western Kenya especially in Kisii, Nandi and Kakamega counties.

EL NIÑO RESPONSE PLAN

Massive destruction of infrastructure was witnessed during the 1997/98 El Niño rains and the government has been keen to avoid a repeat scenario.

Its multi-agency approach has brought together about five ministries that will work closely to ensure Kenyans do not suffer.

The Cabinet secretary for Interior and National Coordination, Gen (Rtd) Joseph Nkaissery, will coordinate the El Niño response plan.

He is also expected to guide other ministries on what they should do at what point.

The Ministry of Education has been tasked with ensuring the safety of all school children during the rains, while the Transport and Infrastructure Ministry has been tasked to ensure that roads are passable.

The Ministry of Agriculture will provide farmers with seeds and fertilisers and help them recover if their crops fail due to the floods.