Kiambu,
Thursday April 25, 2024
KNA by Sylvia Wanjohi
Heavy rainfall is expected to continue this month in most parts of the county, Kiambu County Director of Meteorological Services Magdalene Gateri has said.
The announcement comes at a time when several parts of the County are still reeling under devastating flash floods that have destroyed property and livelihoods.
Giving the weekly forecast for the next one week running from Tuesday April 23 to Monday 29, Gateri added that flooding in the region is to be expected in areas with poor drainage and in the lowland regions.
“We expect flooding in areas with poor drainage and in low lying regions in the County,” she said.
She further said that areas that are prone to landslides may be affected by the flash floods warning residents to avoid such areas.
“Areas likely to have landslides may be affected and I kindly advise people to avoid such areas for safety purposes,” Gateri said.
According to the Director, the mornings are likely to be cloudy with occasional rains over a few places giving way to sunny intervals.
While in the afternoon and at night, several places within the county will experience light showers with thunderstorms and lightning.
On Tuesday, scenes of houses submerged in water were witnessed in Kiambu County, especially in Thindigua and Ruaka due to a heavy downpour witnessed on Monday night.
One person was declared dead on Monday and two others were injured after a perimeter wall collapsed.
Many houses in the area have been submerged. Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi on Monday this week issued a warning to tenants of the affected residential buildings to vacate them until the County government ascertains their suitability and safety.
He also promised to inspect buildings in the area to ensure the structures are suitable for living to avoid any cave ins that might happen especially with the erratic continuous rains.
The forecast comes even as an advisory message from the Director of Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), David Gikungu, issued last week advised Kenyans to be on the lookout for potential floods, flash floods and reduced visibility caused by the heavy rainfall.
“Flood waters may appear in places where it has not rained heavily, especially downstream.” said Gikungu.
Heavy rainfall is being experienced over several parts of the Country in the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley, Southeastern Lowlands, coastal and North Eastern sectors.
Courtesy; KNA
