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Expect heavy rains in Nairobi on Friday- Met department

Kenya Red Cross Society members hold on to a safety rope as they wade through floodwaters to assess and rescue residents trapped in their homes in Kitengela, Kajiado County, on May 1, 2024, after a seasonal river burst its banks. (Photo: Reuters)

By Charity Kilei | 03 May 2024

This caution follows a similar advisory from the Met Department on Thursday, warning of the probability of heavy rainfall and strong winds persisting until Monday.

The Kenya Meteorological Department warned Nairobi residents of the likelihood of intensified rainfall on Friday.

The forecast suggests that the anticipated rainfall for Friday may surpass initial expectations, particularly within the capital city.

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As per the daily advisories by the department, Nairobians have been urged to brace for very heavy rainfall.

"Attention Nairobi metropolitan residents. Prepare for heavy to very heavy rainfall this Friday," said Dr David Gikungu, Director of the Meteorological Department.

This caution follows a similar advisory from the Met Department on Thursday, warning of the probability of heavy rainfall and strong winds persisting until Monday.

Dr David Gikungu, Director of the Meteorological Department, has warned about the potential for heightened rainfall, which could lead to flooding in various regions, including the Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley, Nairobi, and Southeastern lowlands, among others, encompassing 41 counties.

"Rainfall exceeding 40mm within 24 hours is expected in several parts of the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi area and Southeastern lowlands from Thursday, May 2 to May 5, 2024," Gikungu said.

Cyclone Hidaya

Torrential rains have caused devastating floods in Kenya, where more than 200 people have died, thousands have been displaced and nearly 2,000 schools have been destroyed.

Rains have been raving several regions in Kenya since March leaving a trail of destruction. Amid this, Cyclone Hidaya is now expected to hit Kenya and neighbouring Tanzania late on Friday, which could further worsen the flooding.

President William Ruto alerted Kenyans to be on the lookout as he highlighted that the Kenya Meteorological Department and the IGAD Climate Prediction Applications Centre have issued alarming forecasts.

"The Meteorological reports present a grim scenario. The rainfall is projected to persist and intensify throughout the remainder of this month and potentially beyond," he said.

The President stressed the urgency for swift and decisive action to mitigate the catastrophic consequences of the current crisis and safeguard life and property.

"The series of tragic events in recent weeks has severely tested our nation's resilience amid unparalleled challenges," he noted.

"The continuous heavy rainfall has triggered devastating floods, resulting in the loss of 210 lives as of Friday, causing injuries to many others, and causing widespread destruction to property, infrastructure, and livelihoods."

The government has now ordered immediate evacuations of Kenyans residing in flood-prone areas to avert tragedy.