Floods
The Meteorological department has put the four counties of Western region of Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia and Vihiga on high alert for heavy rains in the coming month of May.
According to the latest weather forecast from the department, the month of May is expected to experience very heavy rainfall over most parts of the western region.
The rainfall is likely to be accompanied with lightning, thunderstorms, hailstones and strong winds, the forecast predicts.
In a statement, the acting Western Regional Director of Meteorological Vincent Sakwa, the forecast indicates that many parts of the region are likely to experience heavy rainfall.
“However, a few days of sunny and dry conditions within the month is possible “he said.
The weather forecast further reveals that the expected above long-term average rainfall amounts is likely to cause flooding, land mudslides and cases of fog and therefore poor visibility on the major highways are likely to be witnessed.
Submerged houses in Budalang’i constituency of Busia County. The situation is likely to worsen in the coming month of May as the latest weatherman forecasts that very heavy rains are expected to be experienced over most parts of the western region. .(Photo by KNA)
“Cases of slippery roads are highly likely, strong winds, thunderstorms and lightning strikes are expected to be recorded” the statement reads.
Save for the counties of Kakamega, Vihiga and Bungoma where the rains have been relatively moderate since March this year, Busia is already facing the brunt of the floods as over 600 families have been displaced.
While on a tour of Busia County, the Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary, Zacharia Njeru, announced that a team from the National Youth Service (NYS) will be dispatched to the area within a period of less than two weeks to rectify the dykes that had been washed away as the government seeks a permanent solution for the flood menace in Budalang’i constituency.
The National government has already distributed 400 bags of rice, 720 bags of beans, and 20 bags of fortified foods to the affected victims.
A multi-agency disaster management team under the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) Western Regional Commissioner Macharia Irungu and response teams among them the Kenya Red Cross, UNICEF, the Kenya Meteorological Department, County Government and other stakeholders have already put in logistical support to help the flood victims.