The Kenya Meteorological Department (Kenya Met) has warned of enhanced rainfall in five regions of the country over the next seven days.
According to Kenya Met in its weekly bulletin, these regions include ten counties in the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, including Nairobi, Kiambu, and Murang’a, as the main critical areas.
More counties expected to experience rainfall include Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Embu, Meru, and Tharaka-Nithi, all under enhanced rainfall watch this week.
“Rainfall is expected over several parts of the country, with enhanced intensity over the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, including Nairobi,” stated Kenya Met.
A photo collage showing a section of Kenyans walking in the rain.
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Kenya Met
On the other hand, one area drawing close attention is the River Tana, which runs through several counties and carries a well-documented history of flooding during heavy rainfall seasons.
The weatherman confirmed in its River Tana Flood Watch Update that moderate rainfall is expected over the basin during the next seven days, prompting continued monitoring of water levels at the Garissa station.
Streamflow data indicate that the average water level at Garissa is not expected to exceed 2.5 meters over the next 7 days, remaining well below the threshold that typically triggers significant downstream flooding.
“River Tana Flood Watch Update by the Kenya Meteorological Department indicates that moderate rainfall is expected over the basin during the next 7 days,” stated Kenya Met.
However, with this in mind, the department offered reassurance to communities along the Tana corridor, confirming that “there is no risk of flooding within the forecast period”, hence the residents should not be worried.
Based on nationwide temperatures, Kenya Met states that temperatures will vary sharply by location. Residents in Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Tana River, and Lamu Counties will experience daytime highs above 30 degrees Celsius for most of the week.
Additionally, Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, Taita Taveta, and Kajiado, as well as Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa, will experience these levels of daytime temperatures.
Further, Kenya Met reiterates that “Nights will feel far colder in the Central Highlands, Central Rift Valley, and areas near Mount Kilimanjaro, where temperatures are forecast to drop below 10 degrees Celsius during the overnight hours.”
These areas largely encompass Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, Embu, Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Laikipia, and Nairobi County.
The Kenyan Coast will also experience light winds and small waves of about 2 to 3 feet over the next 7 days. Seas will be slightly choppy in the afternoon. Visibility will be moderate, allowing you to see fairly well; thus, conditions will be favourable for marine activities.
The coastal reefs at Chale Islands in Kwale County.
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Chale Island
