According to AP on April 13, torrential rains in many areas in Kenya killed at least 13 people and displaced about 15,000 people.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced that heavy rains and flash floods affected 20,000 people. This includes an estimated 15,000 people forced to relocate since the rainy season began in mid-March.
The East African country has seen thousands of people die due to floods in previous rainy seasons, mostly in lake areas and downstream of major rivers.
The Kenya Red Cross said that five major roads were cut off by floods, including Garissa Road in the north, where a bus carrying 51 passengers was swept away on April 9.
To date, 9 out of Kenya’s 47 counties have recorded flood-related incidents. Landslides also occur in the central regions of this country.
The Kenya Disaster Management Authority has issued a flood warning for Lamu, Tana River and Garissa districts downstream of the Tana River after floodwaters breached dams upstream. Authorities advise people to move to higher areas to ensure safety.
Kenya Red Cross Secretary General Ahmed Idris said that displaced people have been provided with shelter and clean water to prevent the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks.
According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, the rainy season is expected to peak at the end of April and gradually decrease in June.