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Tag: heavy rainfall

  • Heavy rainfall expected from Thursday may trigger floods, Met warns

    Heavy rainfall expected from Thursday may trigger floods, Met warns

    Heavy rainfall is expected to intensify across several parts of the country from today, March 19, raising the risk of floods, flash floods and reduced visibility, the Kenya Meteorological Department has warned.

    In an advisory issued on Wednesday, the department said rainfall currently being experienced in several regions will increase to more than 20 millimetres within 24 hours and persist through March 24, 2026.

    The heaviest rains are expected between March 20 and March 23 before easing slightly on March 24, although showers are likely to continue in several parts of the country.

    The Met Department cautioned that floodwaters may occur in areas that have not received heavy rainfall locally, particularly downstream regions where runoff accumulates from upstream catchments.

    The affected regions include the Lake Victoria Basin, the Highlands west and east of the Rift Valley, the Rift Valley, Highlands East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi.

    Counties affected include Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya, Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, Migori, Nyamira, Turkana, Samburu, West Pokot, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Kericho, Bomet, Kiambu, Embu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, and Nyeri.

    Other are Laikipia, Tharaka-Nithi, Meru, Narok, Kajiado, Makueni, Machakos, Taita-Taveta, Kitui, Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Garissa, and parts of Marsabit, Isiolo, Wajir, Mandera and Tana River.

    The weatherman urged residents in all the listed areas to remain alert to rising water levels and rapidly changing conditions.

    Additionally, motorists and pedestrians have been advised not to attempt crossing moving water or flooded sections, as such conditions can be deeper and more hazardous than they appear.

    “People are advised to avoid driving through or walking in moving water or open fields and not to shelter under trees or near grilled windows to minimise exposure to lightning strikes,” the Met Department warned.

    Landslide-prone areas, especially the slopes of the Aberdare Ranges, Mount Kenya and other hilly regions, face heightened risk and residents have been urged to remain vigilant.

  • Weatherman issues heavy rainfall advisory for multiple counties

    Weatherman issues heavy rainfall advisory for multiple counties

    The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rainfall advisory cautioning the public of intensified rain across the country from Saturday  afternoon to Tuesday evening.

    According to the advisory, the weatherman says several parts of the country may experience moderate(5-20mm) to heavy (>20mm) rainfall within 24 hours with isolated storms likely, especially during the afternoon, evening, and early morning hours.

    Kenya Met says the rainfall currently affecting the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley including Nairobi is expected to intensify.

    The weatherman projects that rainfall exceeding 20mm within 24 hours on February 21, increasing to more than 30mm within 24 hours between February 22 and 24.

    The rains are also expected to spread to the South-eastern Lowlands and parts of the Coastal region, particularly the South Coast, before reducing in intensity on February 25 and 26th.

    Counties likely to be affected include;
    Migori, Nyamira, Bungoma, Kakamega, Embu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Tharaka-Nithi, Kisii, Narok, Kajiado, Makueni, Machakos, Nairobi, Kericho, Bomet, Taita Taveta, Kitui, Kwale, Mombasa, southern Tana River, and parts of Kilifi.

    Public Safety Advisory
    Residents have been advised to remain alert for possible flooding, including downstream areas.

    Similarly, members of the public have been urged to avoid walking or driving through moving floodwaters and open fields.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Tropical Cyclone Ialy raises concern as Weatherman predicts heavy rainfall

    Tropical Cyclone Ialy raises concern as Weatherman predicts heavy rainfall

    Tropical Cyclone Ialy which formed in the Indian Ocean south of Seychelles on Tuesday last week moving at 35 kilometres per hour has gained strength and is currently a severe Tropical Cyclone moving at 100 kilometres per hour.

    According to the tracking system and Climate Scientists, Tropical Cyclone Ialy is expected to reduce in intensity beginning Monday morning to a moderate Tropical Storm at 95 kilometres per hour.

    What is different between Tropical Cyclone Ialy and its sister Hidaya is that its path is northwards towards the equator and will move to close to 3 degrees South before dissipating at a low speed of 55 kilometres per hour.

    Photo courtesy of Google

    The eye of the storm will not make landfall and will end in the sea. The cyclone is accompanied by strong winds hence the need for those engaged in fishing to be cautious.

    Heavy rainfall advisory

    The Kenya Meteorological Department in a heavy rainfall advisory released on Sunday indicates the possibility of heavy rainfall through to Wednesday.

    In the advisory, there is a forecast for rainfall of more than 30 millimetres expected in 24hrs over several parts of the country including; the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi area.

    “The heavy rainfall is predicted to intensify to more than 40mm in 24hrs over the Rift Valley, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi area, Lake Victoria Basin and off the coast on 20th to 21st May, 2024,” says the statement released by the Director of Meteorological Service, Dr. David Gikungu and adds, “It is likely to reduce in intensity on Wednesday but will intensify along the coast and last until Friday.”

    The Weatherman is warning that the heavy rainfall is likely to be accompanied by gusty winds, large Ocean Waves in the Indian Ocean and strong southerly winds in the eastern region.

    The counties expected to be affected include; Kisumu, Homabay, Siaya, Migori, Busia, Kisii, Nyamira and Nandi. The others are Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Narok, Baringo, Nakuru, Trans-Nzoia and Uasin-Gishu. The rest are; Elgeyo-Marakwet, West-Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Mombasa, Tana-River, Kilifi, Lamu, and Kwale.

    The Weatherman is urging the public in the areas mentioned to be on the lookout for potential floods, flash floods and poor visibility.

    “The water levels in rivers, lakes and dams is expected to remain high,” says Dr. Gikungu and adds, “Residents are advised to avoid driving through, or walking in moving water or open fields and to avoid taking shelter under trees or near metallic window grills so as to minimize exposure to lightning strikes.”

    “People in landslide-prone areas especially over hilly areas should be vigilant. Strong winds may blow off roofs, uproot trees and cause structural damages. Large waves may affect marine activities” warned KMD.

     

     

  • Expect heavy rainfall along the Kenyan coast-Met Department

    Expect heavy rainfall along the Kenyan coast-Met Department

    The Kenya’s Meteorological Department now says heavy rainfall is expected offshore along the Kenyan coast from Sunday intensifying to Tuesday next week.

    Kenya Meteorological Services director, Dr. David Gikungu, said the current observations indicate that Tropical Cyclone Hidaya has made landfall on the coast of Tanzania.

    Dr. Gikungu, however, said another depression is developing behind Hidaya, which the Kenya Meteorological Department is closely monitoring. He said the effects of the cyclone are already being felt offshore, with strong winds and large waves surpassing two meters.

    The KMD boss said the department will continue monitoring the situation and issue updates as necessary.

    He further warned residents, particularly in coastal regions and individuals involved in marine activities in the Indian Ocean, to take maximum precautions.

  • Heavy down pour reduces farm produce worth millions to waste

    Heavy down pour reduces farm produce worth millions to waste

    Farm produce worth millions of shillings have been reduced to waste following heavy rains that have been pounding the agriculture rich area of Kinangop in Nyandarua County.

    Over 200 households in Kageraini village in Nyakio ward have been flooded with fears that the number could rise as the rains continued for the third day running.

    This came as the local leaders and the Ministry of Education officers moved in to seek alternative examination centers after several schools in the area were flooded.

    According to Nyandarua Women Rep Faith Gitau, some of the villages in Kinangop could not be accessed due to the heavy rains pounding the region.

    Gitau attributed the current crisis to poor drainage systems as she appealed to the national government to intervene before lives were lost.

    “We are seeking buses which will be used to help KCSE candidates travel to the exams centers as the roads are currently impassable due to the floods,” she said.

    Speaking after visiting the affected areas, the women rep said that fresh products in the farms had been left to rot as water levels continued to rise by the day.

    “We are now feeling the full effects of the El Nino rains and we are calling for support from the national government in opening up the roads and the clogged up drainage system,” she said.

    Gitau added that the only solution to the problem lay in constructing water dams and pans in future to harvest the waters.

    Nyakio MCA Zachariah Njeru warned of massive losses in the coming days as the rains continued to pound the region and nearby centers.

    Njeru blamed the current crisis on the geographical formation of the area which was flat, adding there were no drainage systems.

    “This is a major tragedy that has not only affected farmers but also traders in nearby centers and we fear some families could be displaced if the rains continue,” he said.

    One of the affected farmers, Samuel Kuria said that the area had recorded heavy rains for the last three days leading to flooding of their homes and farms.

    “Over 3,000 people have been affected by the floods and we fear for students who are sitting for the exams as all schools in this area have also been flooded,” he said.