Kenya receives heaviest rainfall in 5 decades

Written By:Judith Akolo,    Posted: Sun, Dec 04, 2011

The rains are likely to cease during the fourth week of December. The Kenya Meteorological Department says the country has received some of the heaviest rainfall in five decades. Deputy Director of Meteorological Services Peter Ambenje says the rainfall received during the short rains season can only be compared to what was realized in 1960. He however says the country should begin seeing a reduction in rainfall amounts in the coming weeks even as several areas have reported floods, deaths due to flooding and mass displacements. This came even as the Red Cross launched an appeal to assist those displaced by raging floods. Ambenje says some rivers including River Nzoia burst its banks causing serious flooding while River Tana flooded displacing people in parts of Garissa. Ambenje says the rain could reduce in amounts but the cessation is only expected in the coming weeks. "Some parts of the country have surpassed their  long term means making it the wettest season since 1960," said Ambenje and added, "this is not an El Nino year it is just that the conditions over the Indian Ocean have made it possible to have the heavy rainfall due to the easterly winds that are blowing moisture into our region." The Deputy Director of Meteorological Services noted that with the current rains having exceeded the long term means in most areas the ground is soggy and any little amount falling could easily cause flooding or mudslides in hilly areas. Red Cross has described the floods as one of the worst witnessed in Kenya's history launching an appeal to those displaced. Several areas of the country have had to grapple with a near crisis as floods hit falling heavy downpours. Areas that have been dry including Garissa and Wajir have seen rainfall amounts rise eight times the usual amounts received in the areas. The various cessation periods are; Nyanza and Western Counties: represented by Kakamega, Busia, Kitale, Eldoret, Kisii, Kericho, Kisumu, Nyamira, Gucha, Kuria, etc are expected to continue experiencing rainfall during the first week of October spreading from the month of September. The rains are likely to cease during the fourth week of December. The rainfall is, however, likely to continue into January in areas around Kisii; North Rift: The onset in the Northwestern parts of the country (Lodwar, Lokitaung, Lokkichogio etc) is expected during the first to second week of October while cessation is expected in the first to second week of December; Extreme northern parts of Eastern and Northeastern Counties: (Moyale, Mandera, Sololo etc) are expected to experience their onsets in the first to second week of October. The rains are likely to cease during the first to second week of December; Central Counties and Counties in southern parts of Eastern and Northeastern parts of the country: Central Highlands (Meru, Embu, Nyeri, Murang'a, Nanyuki etc); Nairobi area (Dagoretti, Kabete, Eastleigh etc); Northeastern (Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit etc) will experience their onsets in the third to fourth week of October. The rains are likely to cease during the third to fourth week of December; Central Rift: The northern parts of Central Rift Valley (Nakuru, Nyahururu etc) are likely to experience their onset during the first to second week of October and the cessation during the third to fourth week of December. The onset in southern parts (Narok, Kajiado etc) is likely to occur in the first week of November and extend into January 2011, especially in the Narok areas; Southern parts of Eastern Province and parts of Coast Province: The southeastern lowlands (Voi, Taveta, Makindu, Tana River) are likely to realize the onset during the third to fourth week of October. The cessation is expected during the third to fourth week of December; Coastal Strip: Onset over the southern Coastal strip (Malindi, Mombasa, Kilifi, Mtwapa Msambweni, Lungalunga, etc) is expected during the first to second week of October and cessation during the second to third week of December. The northern Coastal strip (Lamu etc) will experience the onset during the fourth weak of October to 1st week of November while the cessation is expected during the first to second week of December.