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Kenyan Authorities Issue Urgent Flood Warning As Heavy Rains Persist

BY Getrude Mathayo · March 29, 2025 11:03 am

The Water Resources Authority (WRA) has issued a flood warning to Kenyans following the ongoing rainy season, which has continued to impact several regions across the country.

The authority has urged residents, especially those in flood-prone areas, to remain vigilant as river levels rise to critical levels, posing a significant risk of flooding.

In a statement released on Thursday, WRA noted that while most rivers across Kenya’s basins are currently flowing at normal levels, some are rapidly approaching the flood alarm state.

The authority warned that flooding is likely to occur between Thursday, March 27, and Monday, March 31, as water levels continue to rise due to persistent rainfall.

The warning is particularly directed at residents of North Eastern Kenya, with counties such as Kitui, Isiolo, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and Garissa expected to experience significant flooding. WRA singled out the Tana River in Garissa, which has seen a sharp spike in water levels over the past 24 hours, reaching a critical alarm state.

The situation is expected to worsen as rainfall continues in the mid-Tana region, further increasing river flows.

According to WRA, the water level in the Tana River at Garissa has surged past the 4-meter flood alarm threshold, raising concerns about potential displacement of communities living along the riverbanks.

The authority cautioned that with continued heavy rainfall, the river could overflow, leading to widespread flooding in the surrounding areas.

Furthermore, data from Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) indicate that Kiambere Dam, the final reservoir in the Seven Forks Dam cascade, was measured at 8 meters below its full supply capacity as of Thursday at 5 a.m. The dam’s water levels are expected to rise further as upstream inflows increase due to persistent rainfall.

Apart from the Tana River Basin, WRA has also warned residents in other flood-prone regions to brace for potential flooding. The authority highlighted that low-lying areas in the Lake Victoria Basin and the Rift Valley could experience both riverine and flash floods due to heavy rainfall and water runoff.

Urban centers within these regions are particularly at risk, as poor drainage systems may lead to severe flooding in residential and commercial areas. WRA has urged local governments and disaster response teams to take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of expected floods.