This archive report was first published on 17 October 2019.
As the rainy season sets in, Kenyans are reminded of the dangers of flooding. Heavy rainfall can cause rivers to burst their banks, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. According to National Geographic, sudden heavy rainfall over a short period of time is a major cause of flooding.
Published on October 17, 2019, the Kenya Natural Disaster Profile by the United Nations Development Program Enhanced Security Unit highlights several factors that enhance the risk of floods, including location of settlement in flood plains, cultivation of crops along slopes adjacent to floodplains, lack of awareness of flood hazards, reduced soil capacity to absorb water, and poor building materials.
Venant Ndigila, the emergency preparedness and response manager for the Red Cross, emphasizes that floods are sudden but give a window to reduce the risk associated with them. To stay safe, follow these essential tips:
- Avoid building in flood plains, especially in areas prone to flooding such as Kano plains, Nyakach area, Rachuonyo, Migori, Budalangi, Kilifi, Kwale, and the Tana River Basin.
- Pay attention to weather forecasts and keep abreast of information from the meteorological department.
- Move to higher ground if in an open field during flooding, or move to higher levels of a building if in an urban setting.
- Switch off electricity if flooding has taken place inside a house.
- Avoid driving in flood waters and slow down if you encounter a flooded section of road.
- Do not walk or swim in flood water, especially if the water is above the knee.
- Once the rain has subsided, do not use flood water without purifying it first, and improve hygiene around the home to avoid the risk of diarrheal diseases.
