The Kenya Meteorological Department has projected that heavy rains in Mombasa and the larger coastal region will continue until January 31, according to a recent forecast.
Director of the agency, David Gikungu, revealed that the current heavy rains, which have caused widespread devastation in the coastal city, are attributed to a “fairly strong” El Nino phenomenon. He further expressed that the observed rainfall has surpassed the normal average, and there is a high likelihood of it persisting until the end of January 2024.
The agency’s studies anticipated intensified rainfall as early as August, despite the controversial scaling down of the El Nino advisory on October 22, followed by its reinstatement on November 10. Gikungu emphasized that the current El Nino phenomenon is remarkably robust, leading to increased and above-average rainfall during this season.
Amidst the forecast, the coastal region has already experienced tragic consequences, with the national administration reporting ten flood-related deaths. Among the casualties were two Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officials who tragically drowned in Kwale after their vehicle was swept away by the floods.
The impact of the floods has also led to widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure, rendering sections of roads in cities and towns inaccessible. In Mombasa’s Changamwe constituency, at least five houses were destroyed in the Chaani area. Areas like Bamburi, Junda, and Kiembeni in the larger Kisauni constituency witnessed impassable roads due to heavy downpours, causing several homes to be submerged in water.
Moreover, parts of Maweni, Kongowea, 2nd Avenue Nyali, and Links Roads in Nyali experienced significant flooding. These events have cumulatively affected over 80,000 households and displaced numerous individuals across thirty-three counties in the country.
