This archive report was first published on 25 October 2019.
Heavy rainfall in Kenya has caused widespread disruption, with the Meteorological Department warning of potential floods and landslides across the country. On Thursday, October 25, 2019, two buses carrying 200 school children and 15 teachers from Blessed Allamano Primary School in Mombasa got stuck in the feeder road at Bachuma in Tsavo East National Park after a heavy downpour.
The children were on a wildlife tour in the park, but were forced to spend the night in the buses due to the impassable road. However, they were later rescued in an operation conducted by Kenya Red Cross officials, collaborating with Kenya Police and Kenya Wildlife Service officers.
According to Kenya Red Cross Society, all the children and their teachers were rescued safely and were expected to be taken back home shortly. The rescue operation was conducted after the Meteorological Department warned Kenyans to be on the lookout for potential floods and landslides triggered by substantial amounts of rainfall.
Since the heavy rains started pounding the country, 29 people have lost their lives and 11,700 others have been displaced, according to government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna. The weatherman also predicted heavy rainfall of more than 20mm in 24 hours from Wednesday to Sunday, October 28, 2019, over several regions in Kenya.
