Flood Alert as Kenya Met Warns of Intensifying Rains in 14 Counties Before Year-End

The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a warning to residents in several parts of the country, including Nairobi, to prepare for heavy rainfall that could trigger flooding before the end of the year.

In an alert released on Friday, December 26, the weatherman said rainfall is expected to intensify between December 28 and December 30, raising the risk of floods in low-lying and poorly drained areas.

According to the advisory, counties expected to be affected include Migori, Homa Bay, Kisii, Narok, Kajiado, Makueni, Machakos, Nairobi, Kericho and Bomet. Parts of southern Kitui, as well as Taita Taveta and Kwale counties, are also listed among high-risk areas.

Kenya Met estimates the probability of heavy rainfall during the period at between 33 and 66 per cent, classifying it as moderate to heavy rainfall. The department warned that downpours exceeding 20 millimetres within 24 hours are likely to occur in parts of the southeastern lowlands on December 27.

The rainfall is forecast to intensify further on December 28 and 29, with some regions expected to record over 30 millimetres within a single day. 

These conditions are likely to extend to areas west and east of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, and southern sections of the Coast.

Meteorologists, however, indicated that rainfall is expected to gradually ease from December 30 as weather patterns stabilise toward the new year.

Elsewhere, much of the country is projected to experience relatively hot and dry conditions between Friday, December 26, and Monday, December 29. Coastal counties including Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale, together with coastal parts of Tana River, are expected to receive intermittent showers alongside high temperatures.

These coastal regions may record daytime temperatures of up to 34°C, with night-time lows hovering around 23°C.

Meanwhile, northern and north-eastern counties such as Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Isiolo are forecast to experience long sunny spells throughout the period. Similar conditions are expected in Turkana and Samburu counties.

Kenya Met has also cautioned residents of Marsabit to prepare for strong southeasterly winds, which could exceed 25 knots over the next five days. 

The department noted that rainfall over the southern half of the country is likely to increase gradually as the forecast period progresses.