The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a fresh weather advisory warning of continued rainfall across multiple parts of the country, with several regions expected to experience heavy downpours, rising river levels, and heightened flood risks over the coming days.
Rainfall is expected to continue in the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, Nairobi, the Rift Valley area, the coast, and northeastern Kenya. Certain areas in these regions are anticipated to see significant rainfall, raising worries about public safety and infrastructure damage.
Flooding, Landslides and Reduced Visibility Expected
According to the advisory, the ongoing weather conditions present several potential risks, including flooding and flash floods in low-lying areas, reduced visibility during rainfall episodes, and rising river levels even in regions not directly experiencing heavy rainfall.
The Department also warns of an increased risk of landslides in hilly and high-altitude areas, particularly the Aberdare Ranges, Mt. Kenya region, and surrounding slopes.
Residents are advised to exercise caution as ground conditions continue to be unstable in several parts of the country.
Safety Advisory Issued to the Public
The meteorological agency has urged the public to take precautionary measures during the forecast period. Key safety guidelines include avoiding walking or driving through moving water, refraining from sheltering under trees or near glass structures during storms, and exercising heightened vigilance in flood- and landslide-prone areas.
Authorities have further emphasized the importance of early response and situational awareness as weather conditions remain unpredictable.
Despite widespread rainfall in several parts of the country, hot and dry conditions are expected to persist in select regions.
Daytime maximum temperatures exceeding 30°C are likely in the Coast, Southeastern lowlands, Northeastern, and Northwestern Kenya. Meanwhile, nighttime minimum temperatures could drop below 10°C in parts of the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, the Central Rift Valley, and areas surrounding Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Flood Watch Issued for Tana Basin
In a separate advisory, the Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a flood watch for the Tana Basin, warning of moderate to heavy rainfall over the next seven days.
Stream flow forecasts indicate rising water levels across key monitoring stations, though levels at Garissa are not expected to exceed 6.4 metres on average during the period.
However, the situation still presents a high risk of flooding across the basin.
Projected water levels include:
- Saka: approximately 4.8 m
- Garissa: approximately 6.4 m
- Hola: approximately 5.1 m
- Garsen: approximately 4.2 m
Despite these projections, the cumulative rainfall and river inflows are expected to sustain a high flood risk within the forecast period.
The Kenya Meteorological Department continues to monitor evolving weather patterns and has urged stakeholders, county governments, and residents in affected regions to remain alert and take necessary preparedness measures as the rainy conditions persist.
