Kenya Met Issues Week-Long Heavy Rain Alert Across Five Regions

The Kenya Meteorological Department (Kenya Met) has issued a detailed weather advisory warning of enhanced rainfall across several parts of the country over the next seven days, urging residents and local authorities to remain alert as conditions evolve.

In its latest weekly bulletin, Kenya Met highlighted the Highlands East of the Rift Valley as the primary area of concern.

This region, which includes key counties such as Nairobi, Kiambu County, and Murang’a County, is expected to experience significantly intensified rainfall during the forecast period. These areas are considered critical due to their dense populations, urban infrastructure, and susceptibility to flooding and surface runoff during heavy rains.

Beyond these, Kenya Met has expanded its rainfall watch to include several additional counties across the same region. These include Nyandarua County, Laikipia County, Nyeri County, Kirinyaga County, Embu County, Meru County, and Tharaka-Nithi County.

Residents in these areas have been advised to anticipate periods of moderate to heavy rainfall, which could disrupt daily activities, transport, and agricultural operations.

“Rainfall is expected over several parts of the country, with enhanced intensity over the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, including Nairobi,” Kenya Met noted, emphasizing that the rainfall pattern will not be uniform but may intensify in localized zones.

Particular attention has also been directed toward the River Tana basin, an area historically prone to flooding during prolonged or intense rainy seasons.

The river flows through multiple counties and has, in the past, caused significant displacement and damage when water levels rise beyond safe limits.

According to the department’s River Tana Flood Watch Update, moderate rainfall is expected within the basin over the coming week.

As a precaution, hydrological monitoring efforts have been intensified, especially at the Garissa station, which serves as a key reference point for tracking water levels along the river.

Current streamflow data provide a measure of reassurance. Kenya Met reports that the average water level at Garissa is projected to remain below 2.5 meters over the next seven days.

This is well under the threshold typically associated with significant downstream flooding, suggesting that, despite the rains, the risk of major flood events remains low for now.

“River Tana Flood Watch Update by the Kenya Meteorological Department indicates that moderate rainfall is expected over the basin during the next seven days,” the agency reiterated. It further reassured communities living along the Tana River corridor that there is no immediate cause for alarm, clearly stating that “there is no risk of flooding within the forecast period.”

In addition to rainfall projections, Kenya Met also provided insights into expected temperature variations across the country.

Coastal counties such as Kilifi County, Mombasa County, Kwale County, Tana River County, and Lamu County are forecast to experience relatively high daytime temperatures, frequently exceeding 30 degrees Celsius throughout much of the week.

Similarly, inland counties including Machakos County, Makueni County, Kitui County, Taita-Taveta County, and Kajiado County, as well as northeastern regions such as Mandera County, Wajir County, and Garissa County, are also expected to record similarly high daytime temperatures.

In contrast, nighttime conditions will be markedly cooler in elevated regions. Kenya Met has forecast that temperatures will drop below 10 degrees Celsius in parts of the Central Highlands, the Central Rift Valley, and areas surrounding Mount Kilimanjaro.

Counties likely to experience these chilly nighttime conditions include Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, Embu, Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Laikipia, and Nairobi.

Meanwhile, conditions along the Kenyan Coast are expected to remain relatively calm. The department forecasts light winds and small waves ranging between 2 to 3 feet over the next week.

While seas may become slightly choppy during afternoon hours, overall visibility will remain moderate, allowing for generally favorable conditions for fishing, transport, and other marine activities.

In summary, while enhanced rainfall is expected to affect several regions, particularly the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, Kenya Met maintains that the overall risk of severe flooding, especially along the River Tana, remains low within the current forecast window.

Nonetheless, residents are encouraged to stay informed through official updates and take necessary precautions as weather conditions continue to develop.

Read Also: Kenya Met List Regions Set For Heavy Rainfall Over Next Seven Days