Met Department Predicts Heavy Rainfall Across The Country Amid Drought Crisis

The Kenya Meteorological Department (MET) has predicted heavy rainfall across the country even as regions continue to face severe drought.

The MET department in a statement on Tuesday lit some hope to the most affected regions as they announced the rains in a week-long prediction.

According to MET, regions expected to experience heavy downpours include; the East and West of the Rift Valley Highlands, Central and South Rift, Lake Victoria basin, Coast, South Eastern lowlands, North Western and Eastern part of Kenya.

Moderate to high rainfall of about 50mm up to 120mm may be experienced in the central Kenya region, highlands of the Rift Valley and the Lake basin.

Counties in these regions include; Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Transnzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nandi, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia and West Pokot Counties.

Met has similarly warned of lightning strikes and thunderstorms over some counties in the Western part of the country especially in Kisii, Kisumu, Nandi, Bungoma (Mt. Elgon areas) and Kakamega Counties.

“The public is advised not to shelter near metallic structures or under trees to pre-empt loss of life,” read a statement by Director, Kenya Meteorological Department, Stella Aura. 

North-western (Turkana and Samburu Counties) where drought crises have been experienced have been predicted to experience below-average rains.

Rift Valley highlands on the eastern side, including Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka and Nairobi Counties are also among the regions in place for high rainfall.

Other counties where moderate to low rains are expected include; North-eastern (Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Isiolo), South-eastern lowlands (Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Kajiado and Taita Taveta Counties) and Coast (Mombasa, Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale Counties)

At the same time, the weatherman cautioned of flash floods in some regions especially the Lake Victoria Basin and Highlands West of the Rift Valley where average rainfall will be experienced throughout April.

The counties in these regions are; Kisumu, Nandi, Bungoma (Mt. Elgon areas) and Kakamega Counties.

“Flash floods are very likely to occur in the Lake Victoria Basin, the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Central and South Rift Valley, and parts of the Highlands East of the Rift Valley (including Nairobi County),” added the Met department.