The Water Resources Authority (WRA) has issued a flooding warning to Kenyans following the rainy season that has continued across many regions in Kenya.
In a statement issued on Thursday, WRA warned that most rivers across the basins in Kenya are currently flowing at normal levels, with some approaching the flood alarm state. The floods, according to the authority, are likely to be witnessed from Thursday, March 27, to Monday, March 31.
Residents living in the North Eastern Counties of Kitui, Isiolo, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and Garisa have been warned to be on the lookout for flooding instances.
''Tana river at Garissa recorded a sharp water level spike in the last 24 hours, bringing the levels to alarm state. With the rains currently experienced in the Mid Tana areas of Kitui, Isiolo, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and Garisa Counties, it is expected that the flows will increase significantly,'' a statement from WRA read in part.
According to WRA, water levels in the Tana River at Garissa have risen rapidly above the 4-meter flood alarm threshold in the last 24 hours.
Additionally, data from KenGEN indicate that Kiambere dam levels, the last in the Seven Folk Dams cascade, were 8 meters below full supply capacity on Thursday at 5 am.
The authority also warned residents living in regions around the counties of Nyanza and Rift Valley that are often frequented by floods to be on the lookout for flash floods.
''Other places to be on the lookout for riverine floods or flash floods are the low-lying areas of Lake Victoria and Rift Valley basins and the urban areas, respectively,'' it added.
The warning comes just three days after the Kenya Met Department issued a weather forecast indicating the likelihood of heavy rainfall over many parts of the Country, including Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley, North Eastern Kenya, and Mount Kenya areas.
The rainfall that was projected to hit between March 25 to 31 March was projected that it would lead to rise of river levels and overtopping of the banks and flash floods caused by runoff.
Consequently, residents living in the affected counties were warned to be on the lookout for flash floods and riverine floods, as well as exercise vigilance and evacuate to higher safe grounds using safe routes in case of flooding.
Additionally, the residents have been warned to avoid crossing flooded rivers and be on the lookout for manholes during such incidences.
In February, research published in the Theoretical and Applied Climatology Journal highlighted how global warming was driving shifts in rainfall extremes with major implications for agriculture, infrastructure, and livelihoods as a result of heavy rainfall and flooding.
''The frequency and intensity of heavy precipitation events are also projected to increase with increased greenhouse gas emissions,'' read part of the study by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).
Researchers warned that East Africa is expected to experience ''an increase in both the intensity and frequency of heavy precipitation events,'' leading to more frequent flooding.
