Water Resources Authority issues flooding advisory as rivers swell

The Water Resources Authority has issued a moderate to heavy flooding advisory for the period ending March 31 as a result of increasing water levels in most rivers across the country.

The advisory, which has been distributed to the relevant agencies, comes in the wake of the Meteorological Department's forecast of a likelihood of heavy rainfall in many parts of the country, including the Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley, North Eastern Kenya and Mt Kenya areas within the same period.

The advisory warns that while most river basins are flowing at normal levels, some are approaching the flood alarm stage.

"River Tana in Garissa recorded sharp water level spike in the last 24 hours, bringing the levels to alarm state," the advisory notes.

It adds that with the rains currently being experienced in mid-Tana areas of Kitui, Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Garissa counties, it is expected that the flows will increase significantly.

"Other places to be on the lookout for riverside floods of flash floods are the low-lying areas of Lake Victoria and Rift Valley basins; and the urban areas respectively, " the advisory says.

At the same time, data from KenGen shows that the Kiambere dam’s cascade was 8M below full capacity as of Thursday at 5 pm.

As a result of the rising water levels, the authority has cautioned the public to be on the lookout for flash floods and riverside floods, remain vigilant and evacuate to higher grounds using safe routes, avoid crossing flooded rivers either on foot or aboard a vehicle and beware of manholes and or open channels.

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