Home / Northern-Kenya

Heavy rain relieves Mandera of scorching heat but brings new headaches

A section of the B-9 road Mandera-Rhamu Road, which was cut off by floods for 12 hours, following heavy rains on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Adan Mohamed)

By Adan Mohamed | 22 Apr 2024

Main roads were particularly affected, with mud and water pooling, rendering vehicles immobile.

Mandera County experienced heavy rainfall across its regions on Monday, marking the onset of the season.

The downpour, lasting nearly five hours in Mandera East, brought relief from scorching temperatures, which dropped from 35 to 26 degrees Celsius, but also caused property damage, displacement and transport chaos.

Keep reading

The rains wreaked havoc in 11 wards in Mandera West, Mandera North, Mandera South, Kiliwaheri, Arabia, and Lafey sub-counties, affecting more than 25 locations.

Main roads, including B-9 Mandera-Rhamu, Kotulo Mandera-Wajir, and B-9-5 Mandera-Arabia, were particularly affected, with mud and water pooling, rendering vehicles immobile.

Mandera County residents wait next to a flooded B-9 road Mandera-Rhamu Road, which was cut off for 12 hours, following heavy rains on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Adan Mohamed)

Residents, like Mohamed Noor from Arabia Sub-county, found themselves stranded for hours. They noted the urgent need for road repairs and the installation of culverts to mitigate damage.

"I appeal to our elected leaders to address the rehabilitation of these roads to prevent recurring issues every rainy season," Mohamed said.

In Arabia Sub-county, the heavy rain displaced more than 20 families and destroyed pit latrines.

Abdi Yussuf told The Eastleigh Voice that a section of the Rhamu-Mandera Road was closed for 12 hours due to the overflow from the River Dawa.

"We are stranded in the Aliwondo-Rhamu B-9 road area after the River Dawa burst its banks, cutting off a section of the road," he said.

The Kenya Meteorological Department (Met) has warned of rainfall exceeding 120mm, hence the need for infrastructure repairs and disaster preparedness across Mandera County.