Media Wire Express Correspondent
Heavy rains pounding different parts of Kenya have led to the deaths of at least 13 people and displaced some 15,000 people, the United Nations said, as forecasters warn that more rains can be expected until June.
The U.N Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, citing the Kenya Red Cross Society, said Thursday that nearly 20,000 people were affected, including an estimated 15,000 people displaced by heavy rains and flash floods across the country since the start of the wet season in mid-March.
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The current rainy season, which typically lasts from mid-March to June, has been particularly severe, with forecasters warning that the heavy downpours are likely to continue until the season’s end. The East African nation has experienced devastating floods during previous rainy periods, but this year’s situation appears to be especially dire.
The Kenya Red Cross Society has reported that five major roads have been cut off by the floodwaters, isolating communities and hampering relief efforts. Most notably, a bus carrying 51 passengers was swept away on Tuesday in the northern Garissa region, although thankfully all the passengers were rescued.
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The hardest-hit areas appear to be the downstream regions of the Tana River, including the counties of Lamu, Tana River, and Garissa. The country’s disaster management agency has issued urgent warnings to residents in these areas, urging them to seek higher ground to avoid the rising waters.
Tragically, the floods have also triggered deadly mudslides, particularly in the central parts of Kenya. Just this past Tuesday, four people were killed in a landslide in Narok County.
In response to the crisis, the Kenya Red Cross has been providing critical “lifesaving assistance” to the displaced populations, including shelter, clean drinking water, and medical care. This is crucial to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases that often accompany such flooding events.
As the rainy season reaches its peak in the coming weeks, the situation in Kenya is likely to worsen before it improves. The country’s meteorological department has forecasted that the heavy downpours will continue until June, leaving vulnerable communities in a precarious position. With lives and livelihoods at stake, the people of Kenya will undoubtedly require significant humanitarian aid and support in the months ahead.
