Weatherman Issues Heavy Rains Alert in 13 Counties

The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rainfall in several parts of the country from Saturday afternoon through early Tuesday, raising the risk of flooding in affected regions. In an advisory issued on Friday, the department said more than 20 millimetres of rain in 24 hours is expected in parts of the Southeastern lowlands on December 27. The rains are forecast to intensify to over 30 millimetres in 24 hours on December 28, and 29. They will spread to the Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin and the southern Coastal region. The intensity is expected to reduce on December 30. The areas of concern include Migori, Homa Bay, Kisii, Narok, Kajiado, Makueni, Machakos, Nairobi, Kericho, Bomet, southern Kitui, Taita-Taveta and Kwale. “Residents in all the mentioned areas are advised to be on the lookout for potential floods,” the advisory reads. Strong southeasterly winds reaching 25 knots are expected in Marsabit County over the next five days. The weatherman said occasional rain will affect the southern half of the country, with rainfall intensity likely increasing as the weekend progresses. Residents in Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi counties can expect cloudy skies with light rain and sunny intervals in the mornings, followed by afternoon and nighttime showers. Maximum temperatures in these areas are expected to reach 29°C, with minimums around 5°C. Similar conditions are expected in Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Kajiado, and Taita Taveta counties, as well as inland parts of Tana River County, with temperatures ranging from 13°C to 32°C. Along the coast, Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale counties, and the coastal Tana River, will experience showers for most of the week except Friday and Saturday morning and afternoon. Daytime temperatures in these areas are expected to reach 34°C, with nighttime lows of 23°C. Counties along the Rift Valley, Nyanza and Westerns region are likely to experience rain both during the day and night, with temperatures ranging from 7°C to 32°C. These include Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia and West Pokot counties. Meanwhile, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Isiolo counties will have sunny intervals throughout the day, with highs of 37°C and lows of 16°C. Turkana and Samburu counties will also see sunny days and partly cloudy nights, with temperatures between 16°C and 37°C. The department added that updates will be issued if conditions change. The message has been addressed to key government institutions including the Presidency, the Ministry of Environment, the National Disaster Operations Centre, county governments and humanitarian agencies.