- “Flooding is expected in low-lying areas, those in flood plains as well as in urban areas with poor drainage,” Director of Meteorological Services David Gikungu said.
- Gikungu has advised road users to be extra cautious noting visibility is likely to reduce during heavy rainfall events.
Image: FILE
Kenyans have been put on high alert as heavy downpour continues to wreak havoc in various parts of the country.
The rains continued Tuesday morning with floods being witnessed in various regions and major roads across the country.
The Kenya Meteorological Department, in an alert, has said the rains will continue over the next seven days.
“Flooding is expected in low-lying areas, those in flood plains as well as in urban areas with poor drainage,” Director of Meteorological Services David Gikungu said.
Landslides, he added, may also occur on steep slopes where soils become saturated.
Gikungu has advised road users to be extra cautious noting visibility is likely to reduce during heavy rainfall events.
This alert extends to aviators and boat operators.
The expected heavy rainfall, Gikungu noted, is likely to be accompanied by strong winds, thunder and lightning.
“The public is advised to avoid sheltering under trees and metallic structures to minimize exposure to lightning strikes. There is a need to be cautious since the forecasted strong winds may damage roofs, trees, and towering objects such as billboards,” he added.
The large waves and strong winds are likely to affect marine activities, he stated.
In the forecast for the 10 counties in the Highlands East of the Rift Valley which includes Nairobi, morning rains are expected to occur over a few places occasionally spreading to several places.
Other counties are Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu and Tharak Nithi.
Afternoon and night showers and thunderstorms are also expected over a few places occasionally spreading to several places.
In the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin and the Rift Valley which includes Kisii, Nyamira, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Busia, Migori, Narok, Baringo, Nakuru, Trans-Nzoia, Uasin-Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet and West-Pokot Counties, morning rains are likely to occur over few places occasionally spreading to several places.
“Afternoon and night showers and thunderstorms are expected over several places,” the alert states.
In North-western Kenya which is Turkana and Samburu counties, morning rains as well as afternoon and night showers and thunderstorms are expected over few places occasionally spreading to several places.
Morning rains as well as afternoon and night showers are expected over a few places in the North-eastern region of Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Isiolo counties.
Afternoon and night showers and thunderstorms are expected over a few places occasionally spreading to several places in the Southeastern lowlands of Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado and Taita-Taveta.
Morning rains are also likely to occur over a few places during the first half of the forecast period in these counties.
In the coastal counties of Mombasa, Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale, morning, afternoon and night showers are expected over a few places occasionally spreading to several places.