Nairobi’s drainage system unable to deal with ongoing flood conditions/Courtesy
NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 1 – A heavy downpour was experienced on Saturday night in Nairobi as the Kenya Meteorological Department warned of more rain in the coming days.
The city’s archaic drainage system was once again overstretched, with major roads flooding, more so in Westlands and South C areas.
A section of Thika Road was flooded overnight and according to the Kenya, Red cross, even on Sunday morning.
“A section of Thika Superhighway road between NYS headquarters and Muthaiga Police Station is flooded due to heavy rains experienced overnight. Motorists are advised to avoid using service lane and exercise caution along the route,” the Kenya Red cross cautioned motorists in a statement.
Some buildings in Westlands were marooned in water, as the rains continued to ponder the city for hours, non-stop.
The worst-hit was the Aga Khan hospital where operations stalled due to flooding.
“Following heavy rains in Nairobi that led to flooding in some parts of the city, our disaster response team managed to respond to emergency cases especially at Aga Khan Hospital in Parklands where normalcy has been restored. I thank the hospital’s management for good coordination,” Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko in a tweet.
In Taita Taveta County, the Kenya Red Cross said that Voi River had burst its banks marooning four villages.
Some a hundred people at Msambweni area within the County have since been rescued while 500 others were rescued by community members at Tanzania informal settlement in Voi Town.
“Rescue efforts ongoing in other places within the town at Mlegwa and Manyatta,” the Kenya Red Cross said.
According to the meteorological department, some areas are expected to receive more than 50mm include Kisii, Narok, Nyeri and Nakuru Counties.
They have cautioned that the heavy rains are likely to cause flooding in low lying areas and mudslides in Mt. Kenya region and hilly areas of Western Kenya.
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