Flooding in Kenya by Helen McKenzie
Earlier in the week, World Weather News reported on flash flooding in Ethiopia. But neighbouring Kenya has seen some heavy rain of its own recently.
Parts of northeastern Kenya saw three consecutive days of rain last week, which is unusual. This part of Kenya is normally a dry and arid region, with just a few mm of rain at most falling during the month of August. In fact, the entire district had been exceptionally dry of late, with drought conditions for the last year. So the rain came as a shock.
Rain had been falling over the Samburu Mountains during the week, with the water flowing down the mountains and into villages at the foot. The torrential rain caused the River Nginyang to burst its banks, with flash floods resulting, which for many arrived during the night, catching villagers by surprise. The plains of Sarama and Loiyangalani were particularly badly affected. So far, over 2,000 people have been displaced, and at least four people have died in the floods.
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