2024 Kenya–Tanzania floods explained

Date: - ongoing
Location:Kenya, Tanzania
Type:Floods
Reported Deaths:461+
Reported Injuries:328+
Missing:75+
Displaced:503,661

Starting 18 April 2024, floods hit Kenya, affecting people in 33 of the 47 counties,[1] while also causing devastation in northern Tanzania.

Causes

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]

Impact

Kenya

The capital Nairobi and surrounding areas were particularly affected.[3] The Nairobi River and the Athi River both burst their banks displacing 40,000 people.[4] At least 300 deaths, 188 injuries, 75 missing and 300,000 displaced people were reported.[5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid also reported at least 960 livestock and 24 thousand acres of farmland were flooded.[12]

In the morning hours of 29 April, a railway embankment failed near Mai Mahiu, with the resulting flood killing an additional 61 people.[13]

Schools in Kenya were also barred from re-opening for the second term until further notice.[14]

Tanzania

Floods in northern Tanzania killed 161 people, injured 250 others, damaged over 10,000 houses and affected 210,000 people in 51,000 households.[15] [16]

Aftermath

Kenya

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.[17]

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.[18] President William Ruto declared a public holiday on 10 May to mourn the victims of the floods.[19]

Notes and References

  1. News: Floods death toll rises to 219 as government warns of more deluge. NTV. 4 May 2024. 4 May 2024. Nyaboga Kiage.
  2. Web site: 2024-04-22 . El Niño floods worsen humanitarian needs in Kenya - Kenya ReliefWeb . 2024-04-25 . reliefweb.int . en.
  3. News: 2024-04-24 . Kenya: Floods cause widespread devastation in Nairobi . 2024-04-24 . BBC News . en-GB.
  4. Web site: Devastating flooding in east Africa claims dozens of lives and displaces thousands . 2024-04-24 . Sky News . en.
  5. News: Floods update: ‘300 persons have lost their lives due to floods, 300,000 others displaced’ – Govt. 19 May 2024. 19 May 2024.
  6. News: Floods update: Fatalities hit 291 with 75 persons still missing. 16 May 2024. 16 May 2024.
  7. News: Floods death toll hits 277 as 75 people remain missing. 13 May 2024. 13 May 2024.
  8. News: Floods calamity: ODM creates response team. People Daily Newspaper. 9 May 2024. 9 May 2024.
  9. News: Kenya floods death toll rises to 228 as heavy rains, flooding persist. France 24. 5 May 2024. 5 May 2024.
  10. Web site: Madowo . Larry . 2024-04-26 . Kenya floods leave 70 dead as truck is swept away in deluge . 2024-04-29 . CNN . en.
  11. Web site: Kenya: Disruptions due to flooding ongoing across much of the country as of April 24 . 2024-04-25 . Crisis24 . en.
  12. Web site: 2024-04-19 . Kenya: Heavy Rains and Flooding Update - Flash Update #2 (19 April 2024) - Kenya . 2024-04-25 . reliefweb.int . en.
  13. News: Flood-hit Kenya Pays Tribute To Victims Of Dam Burst. Barron's. 9 May 2024. 9 May 2024.
  14. Web site: Ruto postpones school reopening indefinitely due to flooding . www.nation.africa . NATION . 2024-05-06.
  15. News: Almost 1 Million People in Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, and Somalia Affected as Unprecedented Heavy Rains Continue to Wreak Havoc in Eastern Africa. UNICEF. 29 April 2024. 9 May 2024.
  16. News: 155 people die in Tanzania as heavy El-nino rains wreak havoc. GhanaWeb. 29 April 2024. 9 May 2024.
  17. News: 2024-04-30 . Kenya floods: What a deluge reveals about Nairobi's vulnerability . 2024-05-02 . en-GB.
  18. Web site: Kenya floods: Mass evacuations ordered ahead of cyclone . 2024-05-03 . BBC.
  19. Web site: Kenya declares public holiday to mourn flood victims . 2024-05-09 . Associated Press.

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