The Government of Kenya has warned that the country may experience above-normal rainfall starting from October this year as strong El Nino event develops mainly from the Pacific Ocean.
The statement issued by Kenya’s ministry of interior and national administration stated that about 18 counties are at risk of being affected by El Nino after two months.
“According to the weather authority, there is an 81 per cent chance that this year’s El Nino will be strong and a 97 per cent probability that its effects will be felt up to early next year,” the ministry said in the statement.
The National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) listed counties that will remain on high alert as the counties in the Coastal, Lake Basin, Rift Valley and North Eastern regions.
Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, Mombasa and Kisumu were also singled out as high-risk urban centres.
“In the Coast Region, Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu, Mombasa and Kwale may experience flooding, storm surges, coastal erosion and infrastructure damages, saying residents of some areas in the region may be displaced by floods,” the statement noted
The statement added that in the Rift Valley Region, counties such as Turkana, Baringo, West Pokot and Narok may experience drought, flash floods, landslides, livestock losses and food insecurity.
It said that the North Eastern Region counties, including Garissa, Wajir and Mandera may experience drought, water scarcity, livestock losses, poor pasture and food insecurity, while Kisumu, Busia, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori in the Lake Basin region are expected to experience flooding, landslides, disease outbreaks and cases of displacements.
The ministry also said that the listed counties had been notified to prepare based on their vulnerability to various risks, including evacuation arrangements.
MG/gik/APA