The death toll from flooding and landslides following heavy rains in Kenya has risen to 18 people, the national police service said on Sunday.
Seven of the deaths were reported in eastern Kenya. Police said two bridges were damaged in Kwale county on the coast and in Kitui in the east, while landslides were reported in parts of Elgeyo Marakwet county in the Rift Valley.
“The national police service has confirmed the loss of 18 lives as a result of these incidents, underscoring the grave danger posed by the ongoing weather conditions,” the police said.
The rain fell within Kenya’s normal March to May wet season, but authorities say intense downpours and saturated ground have increased the risk of flooding and landslides.
Transport was disrupted after a landslide blocked the Iten–Kabarnet road near Kolol, the Kenya National Highways Authority said, adding that repairs were under way and traffic had been diverted.
The Kenya Red Cross said there were unconfirmed reports of missing persons and marooned households in Mukuru Kwa Njenga, a densely populated area of Nairobi, and that it was providing relief assistance.
Separately, the interior ministry placed the lower Tana River basin on high alert, warning that heavy rainfall upstream had increased inflows into reservoirs in the Seven Forks dam system and raised flood risks downstream. The Tana River Delta, which is home to more than 100,000 people, could be among the areas affected, the ministry said.
• This article has been updated with the latest death toll.
Reuters
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.