2024 Kenya floods
| Date | 18 April 2024 - ongoing |
|---|---|
| Location | Kenya |
| Type | Floods |
| Deaths | 181 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 29 |
| Missing | 91 |
| Displaced | 131,450 |
Starting 18 April 2024, floods hit Kenya, affecting people in 21 of the 47 counties.[1]
Causes[edit]
One of the biggest drivers of heavy rain in East Africa is the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). During a positive phase the waters in the western Indian Ocean are much warmer than normal and this can bring heavier rain regardless of El Niño. However, when both a positive IOD and an El Niño occur at the same time then the rains in East Africa can become extreme.[2][3]
Impact[edit]
The capital city of Nairobi and surrounding areas were particularly affected.[2] The Nairobi River and the Athi River both burst their banks displacing 40,000 people.[4] Over 130,000 are displaced, 91 missing, 29 injured, and 181 have been reported as dead.[1][5][6] The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid also reported at least 960 livestock and 24 thousand acres of farmland were flooded.[7]
In the morning hours of Monday, 29 April 2024, a railway embankment failed near Mai Mahiu, with the resulting flood killing an additional 42 people.[8]
Aftermath[edit]
Residents were asked to move to higher ground for their own safety. People living in dangerous areas around the country will be moved to land provided by the National Youth Service. Military and the national government were mobilized to work with counties to support those in distress. Kiambu county announced measures to mitigate the situation, including building inspections.[9]
In early May, the Kenyan government ordered people living near 178 dams and reservoirs to evacuate. The ministry established temporary shelters, food and essentials for evacuees.[10]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Kenya - Floods (UN OCHA, Kenya Met Department) (ECHO Daily Flash of 23 April 2024) - Kenya | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Kenya: Floods cause widespread devastation in Nairobi". BBC News. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "El Niño floods worsen humanitarian needs in Kenya - Kenya | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Devastating flooding in east Africa claims dozens of lives and displaces thousands". Sky News. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ Madowo, Larry (26 April 2024). "Kenya floods leave 70 dead as truck is swept away in deluge". CNN. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ "Kenya: Disruptions due to flooding ongoing across much of the country as of April 24". Kenya: Disruptions due to flooding ongoing across much of the country as of 24 April | Crisis24. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Kenya: Heavy Rains and Flooding Update - Flash Update #2 (19 April 2024) - Kenya | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 19 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Floods kill at least 42 in central Kenya after dam bursts". www.msn.com. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ "Kenya floods: What a deluge reveals about Nairobi's vulnerability". 30 April 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "Kenya floods: Mass evacuations ordered ahead of cyclone". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
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