Brace Yourself for Heavy Rainfall, The Weather man Cautions


The Kenya Meteorological Department, through its director David Gikungu, has issued a warning of intense rainfall exceeding 20mm within the next 24 hours. 

]The affected regions include Narok, Nakuru, Bomet, Kericho, Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Homa Bay, Siaya, Kisumu, Nandi, Vihiga, Kakamega, and Busia in the South Rift Valley, Lake Victoria, Highlands West, and Central Highlands. 

Additionally, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Turkana, Marsabit, Uasin Gishu, Kiambu, Nyeri, Murang'a, Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, and Taita Taveta are expected to experience heavy rainfall starting from Monday, February 26, as announced by Gikungu.

"The heavy rainfall is likely to spread to Southeast lowlands on Tuesday and Wednesday. It is likely to reduce in intensity on Thursday."

The forecast showed that the rains will be accompanied with strong winds surpassing 10m/s over the northwestern parts of the country. 

"Gusty winds may blow off roofs, uproot trees and cause structural damages," Gikungu said. 

He advised residents of high risk areas to watch out for potential floods and flash floods. The weatherman also cautioned that flood waters may appear where it has not rained heavily, like downstream. 

"Residents are advised to avoid driving through or walking in moving water and open fields and not to shelter under trees and grilled windows to minimize exposure to lightning strikes," he said. 

"Further updates on the weather conditions will be issued later," he added. 

Meteorologists from the Igad Climate Prediction and Applications Centre, located in Nairobi, stated on February 23 that the likelihood of above-average rainfall during the March-May long rains season in the country was over 70 percent. 

The experts observed that the most substantial rainfall is anticipated in April, with the season concluding in May across numerous regions. They also indicated that the rainfall would commence in southern areas of Kenya near the Tanzanian border before advancing towards central and western Kenya.

"We expect wetter than normal conditions over most parts of the region. Particularly Western Kenya and [Kenyan] borders with Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia," said Dr Hussen Endris, a climate modelling impact specialist from ICPAC. 

Gikungu said there have been speculations whether El Nino would be replaced by La Nina, which brings drought to Kenya. 

"We are in a very unusual situation and even non-climate people have been suggesting we will go to La Nina because that's what they have seen before," he said. 

Following the forecast by Icpac, major parts of Nairobi on Saturday morning experienced light showers which have continued well into the week. 




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