The Kenya Meteorological Service has issued a warning for heavy rainfall affecting mainly the Abardare ranges region, Mt. Kenya region and South Rift Valley including Narok County.
The weathermen say the heavy rainfall will begin at 3pm Wednesday and continue to Thursday extending into Western Kenya and Central Rift Valley."A similar situation may be experienced on Friday 13th October, 2017 but may be confined to fewer areas around Mt. Elgon," said the alert signed by Director of Meteorological Services, Peter Ambenje.
In the statement the weatherman is urging residents in the counties of Kericho, Bomet, Kisii, parts of Narok to be cautious, “the epicenter of the rainstorm will be in the South Rift Valley.”
In the alert sent to newsrooms, the Director of Meteorological Services is asking the public to be cautious as the downpour expected to be over 50 millimeters in 24 hours could result in flash flooding.
"Ponds and large bodies of water may suddenly appear in unlikely places," said the statement and added, "People should avoid wading through these waters to avoid drowning."
Ambenje says Thursday will see the epicenter of the storm move to Central Rift Valley and Western Kenya, "with the affected counties including; Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Laikipia, parts of Samburu, Kericho, Bomet, Narok, Migori, Nakuru and parts of Narok."
Among the institutions on alert are Office of the President, Kenya Red Cross Society, National Disaster Operations Center and County Directors of Meteorological Services.
Pastoral areas including the Counties of Kajiado and Garissa have reported livestock deaths due to lack of water and pasture.
The rain-bearing systems are said to be moving southwards and the Meteorologists have indicated that the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is also moving southwards which will yield rainfall around the country.
In the seasonal forecast, the Kenya Meteorological Service indicated the onset of the short rains season to be in the second to the third week of October in most parts of the country.
The Deputy Director of Meteorological Services Samuel Mwangi on Tuesday said even as the weather systems were still “disorganized” most of the areas predicted to experience the onset in the second to the third week of October will still receive the much needed rainfall.
Kenya usually experiencing two main rain seasons, the long rains season that occurs from March to May and the second season, the short rains season that takes place between October and December.
Kenya and the Horn of Africa region has been experiencing a long drought stretching through six seasons in three years.
By: Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC)
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