Raging Floods Submerge Major Roads, Cars After Heavy Rainfall in Mombasa

Photo of Submerged car along Mombasa - Changamwe road on November 3, 2023
Photo of Submerged car along Mombasa - Changamwe road on November 3, 2023
Photo
ANDY KIM

Heavy downpours on Thursday night led to raging floods that submerged major roads in Mombasa including the newly built Makupa bridge. 

Cars and critical infrastructure were submerged following the floods. Pedestrians and passengers were left stranded following traffic disruption in the area. 

The highway,  which also connects Nairobi, left travelers with few options with some missing flights at the Moi International Airport and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train.

For drivers who were to connect to Mombasa from Nairobi, they were left with no other choice but to wait for traffic police and county officials to intervene.

A photo of pedestrians in Mombasa on November 3, 2023
A photo of pedestrians in Mombasa on November 3, 2023
Twitter
ANDY KIM

Roads that are still under construction were rendered impassable following the rainfall that has affected most parts of the country.  

All Nairobi and Mombasa inbound vehicles were forced to use one lane.

Plans are currently underway to drain away the water.

Mombasa County officials have further issued warnings to road users especially those using roads under construction.

Kenya Meteorological Department earlier in August 2023, warned Kenyans of a 99 percent likelihood of high rainfall across the country projected to be El Niño.

The rains were expected to begin in September and go through to January, with peaks towards the end of October. 

President William Ruto, however, disputed the claims of El Nino, saying that it had been downscaled and the country would only experience heavy rains.

"You had heard that there was a prediction that there would be El Nino that could have ruined properties. But who is God because they are now telling us there will only be significant rains which will not get to that level of destruction," Ruto stated.

Floods along Thika Road after a downpour
Floods along Thika Road after a downpour
Photo
Kenyans.co.ke