According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, the heavy rain currently being experienced is expected to continue in Western, Central (including Nairobi area), North Eastern, North Western and Coastal regions of Kenya.
During the same period in 2019, 29 people lost their lives as a result of mudslides and flash floods.
Interior CS Fred Matiangi, said 17 people died in a mudslide in the village of Takmal in the Pokot Central district, while 12 others lost their lives in mudslides in the villages of Parua and Tapach in Pokot South.
Forecast for the next seven days from October 27 to November 2.
The onset of the October-November-December season over the Northeast and the Coastal Strip is likely to occur during the fourth week of October.
Rainfall amounts and spatial coverage over the two regions are expected to increase as the forecast period progresses.
The southeastern lowlands, the northeast and the northwest regions are likely to experience strong south-easterly winds of more than 25 knots (12.9m/s).
Northwestern region (Turkana, West Pokot and Samburu Counties) are likely to experience morning rains, afternoon showers, thunderstorms as well as evening showers.
Many parts of the country have already experienced the onset of the October-November-December seasonal rainfall.
For the Lake Victoria Basin, the highlands west of the Rift Valley, central and south Rift-Valley – the rainfall was expected to continue from September 2020.
Parts of the highlands east of the Rift Valley experienced the onset from the 3rd to the 4th week of October 2020.
A comparison between the previous review period (October 12 to 18) and the current review period indicates an increase in rainfall amounts over the Highlands East of the Rift Valley (including Nairobi County).
The rainfall station at Kainuk Secondary School in Turkana County recorded the highest seven-day total rainfall of 163.3mm.
On October 19, residents in Turkana County were urged to move to safer grounds due to potential Turkwel Dam spillover.
The Water Resources Authority said at least 300,000 locals in Lodwar, Katilu, Loyapat, Nakwomoru and settlements along the shores of Lake Turkana are likely to be displaced.
The expected impact in case of spillage could also see the damage of water abstraction points on the river, including Turkwel Irrigation Scheme, bridges and roads.
Since the onset of the rains in October 2020, most of the catchment areas have been receiving above normal rainfall.
The dam was built between 1986 and 1991 and serves several purposes including hydro-electric power generation, irrigation, tourism and fisheries.
On October 19, Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana announced that he had given his officers a controversial order to whip flood victims before rescuing them.
“Mr County Commissioner, we will not just head for the usual rescue mission. I urge you to equip yourselves with whips. We shall rescue as we whip individuals until they learn to obey directives,” he said.
Source: KENYAGIST.COM
