Nairobi, 25 April 2024 (GNP): Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, has suffered severe damage from recent storms and flash floods, tragically losing at least ten lives. The El Nino weather trend has caused heavy rains, which has turned city roadways into swift-moving rivers, submerging homes and forcing hundreds of people to leave.
Authorities estimate that the floods have had a significant negative impact on about 60,000 individuals, mostly women and children.
There was serious flooding in many neighborhoods, especially in slum areas, requiring residents to wade through waist-high murky waters to safety.
Through May, the Kenya Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rainfall in several regions of the nation.
Transportation has been severely disrupted by the extreme weather. Due to floods and safety concerns, numerous highways in the capital have been partially stopped, and Kenya Railways has announced the temporary suspension of commuter train services.
Residents in certain neighborhoods voiced their dissatisfaction at the harsh conditions, which prompted police to use tear gas to break up a protest on a major thoroughfare.
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The Athi River, which flows south of Nairobi to the Indian Ocean, broke its banks, resulting in more flooding and trapping a large number of people, according to Red Cross confirmation.
Major thoroughfares in central Nairobi were obstructed by fallen trees, making traffic and emergency response even more difficult. The weather pattern is seriously affecting other parts of East Africa in addition to Nairobi.
There are about 100,000 displaced people in Burundi, and thousands of homeless people and at least 58 fatalities in Tanzania.
These weather occurrences are especially destructive because of the region’s susceptibility to climate shocks.
