Kenya: Heavy rains after drought cause deadly flooding

Event

Several days of heavy rain have caused severe flooding in regions across Kenya, resulting in multiple deaths and devastating damage to property and infrastructure. Most recently, four children (all siblings) and two adults were killed in Mombasa when the wall of a semi-permanent structure collapsed, burying them in mud. Roads in Mombasa county have been blocked by flood waters, causing traffic disruptions in the city. Earlier in May, herders in Marsabit county reported that flooding had killed more than 11,000 of the goats and sheep that had survived the harsh drought conditions in the country. Elsewhere, the rising water levels of Lake Baringo have flooded local schools and reportedly put more than 19,000 people living in the area on the verge of being displaced if rains continue.

Officials have issued alerts for possible mudslides and continued flooding in regions across the country. Kenyans also fear that poor drainage systems will contribute to new disease outbreaks.

Context

These torrential rains follow a period of severe and devastating drought. According to the Red Cross in Kenya as of Tuesday, March 28, the number of Kenyans needing emergency food aid has doubled in the past three months to 3 million people. Kenya is one of several East African nations, including South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia that are suffering from two rainy seasons of below average rainfall, leading to food shortages and livestock deaths across the region. The drought is said to be the worst of the past five years.

Although the current rains are a welcome respite from the dry conditions, the previous drought has also created ground conditions particularly ill-equipped to deal with the current deluge, making flooding, landslides, and other hazards more likely. Kenya typically experiences a rainy season beginning in late-April and lasting until early June.

Advice

Individuals present in affected areas are advised to keep abreast of the situation, to avoid areas directly hit by flooding, and to adhere to any orders issued by the local authorities. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous – 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult – and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs disposed of. Be aware that the risk of contracting water- and mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, chikungunya, dengue fever, yellow fever, and the Zika virus, tends to rise after periods of heavy rains.