Editor's Review
The Ministry of Interior has warned of several risks associated with the El Niño rainfall expected in the country.
The Ministry of Interior has warned of several risks associated with the El Niño rainfall expected in the country.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 1, the Ministry warned of above-normal rainfall patterns across the country.
It added that the heavy rainfall poses several risks to Kenyans, and confirmed that some regions have already begun receiving heavy rainfall.
"The anticipated impacts include flooding, drowning, injuries and fatalities, displacement and isolation of communities, disease outbreaks, and the disruption of essential services," the statement read.
The government added that the heavy rains could also damage roads and other critical infrastructure and cause loss of plant and animal life.
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Consequently, the state revealed that it was in the process of implementing a National Contingency Plan to strengthen preparedness and response to minimise potential impact of the El Nińo rainfall.
One of the measures taken is the mapping of hotpots: areas particularly vulnerable to flooding.
"The mapping is informing the prioritisation of preparedness, evacuation and response interventions," the statement continued.
The government has also embarked on unclogging and distilling drainage systems and other water channels within urban areas and major roads.
Other mitigation measures is creating awareness on evaluation procedures for people living on preparing land and other high risk areas, and inspecting infrastructure such as roads,bridges and critical utilities in flood-prone areas.
The Ministry has also began community-level wmwarly warning systems with government administration officers and deployed emergency relief items including food, non-food items, and emergency medical supplies.
Additionally, rapid response teams have been established to be on standby to undertake rescue operations.
The notice came a day after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja issued an update on the county's preparedness for El Niño period.
He assured Nairobi residents that the county had put in place several measures to mitigate associated risks and avert loss of lives and property.
