Kenya: Heavy rains and flooding March 2-4

Event

Heavy rain caused severe flooding in various regions across Kenya, including the capital Nairobi, over the weekend of March 2-4. In Nairobi, the flooding resulted in significant traffic jams, stranding residents. The city of Embu and the county of Tharaka Nithi were also affected; a woman and her two sons were killed by a lightning strike in Tharaka Nithi. As of Monday, March 5, further rain and flooding is possible throughout the country, especially in western and central Kenya; drier weather is forecast for later in the week.

Context

Kenya typically experiences a rainy season beginning in late-April and lasting until early June. Meteorologists believe that the early arrival of the rains this year is the result of the Madden-Julian Oscillation, an eastward-moving low pressure system that carries clouds and rain around tropical regions over a 30 to 60 day period. The flooding in Nairobi was also made worse by the state of the city’s drainage system, under increasing pressure due to urbanization and population growth.

Despite the inconvenience caused by the flooding, the rains were also welcomed by the population as Kenya remains in the grip of a drought. In February, the government declared a national drought emergency in 23 of the country’s 47 counties.

Advice

Individuals present in affected areas are advised to keep abreast of the situation, avoid areas directly hit by flooding, and adhere to any orders issued by the local authorities. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded. Be aware that the risk of contracting water- and mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, chikungunya, dengue fever, yellow fever, and the Zika virus, tends to rise after periods of heavy rains.