Kenya: Flooding kills 200 people since March /update 9

Event

The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) reported on Thursday, May 24, that an estimated 200 people had been killed and another 300,000 displaced since March as a result of heavy rains and subsequent flooding. The worst-hit areas include Tana River and Kilifi counties. Furthermore, some roads have also become impassable in Garissa, Isiolo, Kisumu, and Wajir counties, among others. According to the Kenyan Meteorological Services, further rain is forecast through the end of May, with up to 40 counties likely to be affected. Aid agencies have warned that heavy rain could trigger or worsen outbreaks of diseases such as malaria and cholera.

Context

Kenya typically experiences a rainy season beginning in late April and lasting until early June. The rains arrived early this year (in March); meteorologists believe that this is the result of the Madden-Julian Oscillation, an eastward-moving low-pressure system that carries clouds and rain around tropical regions over a 30- to 60-day period.

Advice

Individuals present in affected areas are advised to keep abreast of the situation, avoid areas directly hit by flooding, and adhere to any orders issued by the local authorities (e.g. evacuation orders). 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 discarded. 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; take measures to protect yourself from mosquito bites (use insect repellent, mosquito nets, etc.) and only consume purified water.