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Kenya: Floods and Landslides - Oct 2019

Disaster description

Heavy rain has been affecting several counties since last week, causing flash flooding and landslides. According to media reports, as of 24 October, 9 people have died as a result, 4 in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, 4 in Wajir county and 1 in Turkana County. Thousands of people have been displaced and roads and houses have been damaged. (ECHO, 24 Oct 2019)

[H]eavy rain has affected large areas over the last week, causing flash flooding and landslides. The northern and north-eastern counties are most affected; as of 24 October, at least 21 people have died, thousands have been displaced, and houses, roads and other infrastructure have been damaged. The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned of continued, countrywide heavy rain and strong winds over the coming days. Further severe flooding is predicted, particularly along the Tana River. (ECHO, 26 Oct 2019)

Based on data from Kenya Red Cross staff and volunteers a total of 14,083HHs (approx. 84,367 people) have been affected, 21 deaths reported with 2 others injured. The number of displaced households is currently estimated at 6,000HHs. In addition, 531 acres of farmland have been destroyed and 21,675 livestock have been washed away. Assessments are continuously ongoing with a possibility of a significant increase in the number of affected populations. (IFRC, 29 Oct 2019)

Heavy rainfall in many regions of Kenya since the start of the short rains season in early October has led to riverine and flash floods, rock falls, mudslides and landslides. More than 101,000 people have been affected, mainly in the north-eastern, central, and coastal regions, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS). The KRCS has confirmed that at least 14,000 people have been displaced who were living in low-lying areas where rivers have burst their banks. At least 29 flood-related deaths have been reported and the death toll and number of people displaced is expected to rise in the days ahead as further information is received and verified from affected areas.(OCHA, 30 Oct 2019)

43,000 people have been affected in Wajir County (north-east Kenya) and the number of flood-related deaths has increased to 29. Approximately 36,000 people have been displaced, more than 101,000 affected, 52 schools and 14 facilities are inaccessible. Roads are flooded and two bridges damaged, including the main bridge linking Tanzania and Kenya. (ECHO, 31 Oct 2019.)

More than 144,000 people in 25 counties across the country are estimated to be affected by riverine and flash floods, rock falls, mudslides and landslides, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS). The Government’s National Disaster Operation Centre (NDOC) also confirmed that at least 17,000 people have been displaced and 48 died due to the floods. With the current weather forecasts, which predicts heavy rains until the end of November, the NDOC expects these numbers to rise, including affecting 200,000 refugees living in settlements in Dadaab. (OCHA, 5 Nov 2019)

Kenya Red Cross teams in various parts of the country are supporting the evacuation of families to safer areas. Working alongside the Government of Kenya, Red Cross teams are delivering emergency relief items and essential supplies like household and sanitation items in evacuation centres hosting those who have been displaced by the flooding. Areas affected by flooding so far include Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, Tana River, Turkana, Elgeiyo Marakwet, Kitui, Meru, Kajiado, Nandi, Kwale, Garissa, Muranga and Busia. (IFRC, 25 Nov 2019)

Heavy rain has been affecting western Kenya, triggering landslides that have resulted in casualties and widespread damage. As of 26 November, at least 52 fatalities after major landslides occurred on 24 November in Tapach, Weiwei and Batei Wards Villages (West Pokot County). Around 45 people are reportedly still missing (ECHO, 26 Nov 2019.)

More than 160,000 people, including nearly 18,000 who are displaced countrywide, have been affected by floods or landslides since the onset of the short rains in October, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS). At least 120 people have reportedly died, including 72 people who lost their lives after a landslide buried their houses in West Pokot County in northwestern Kenya, according to the Government. Infrastructure of undetermined value, including roads and bridges, have been damaged, hampering effective humanitarian response efforts in affected areas (OCHA, 27 Nov 2019.)

UNICEF has sent supplies in response to the heavy rains and floods experienced in Kenya since mid-October, bringing relief to around 130,000 affected people. According to the Government spokesman, 330,000 people have been affected, 17,000 displaced and 132 died, due to floods and landslides. Damage to essential infrastructure including roads, schools and health facilities has disrupted access to critical services for children and families. (UNICEF, 4 Dec 2019)

From October to December, Kenya experienced one of the wettest short rains seasons on record, with rainfall totals ranging up to 400 percent of average. A second round of floods and landslides in November caused the death of 132 people, displaced 17,000 people, and affected approximately 330,000 people, primarily in West Pokot. Disruptions to critical transport infrastructure and ongoing delays in the unimodal harvest have reduced the availability of food in markets, sustaining high food prices. In localized areas, crop and livestock losses have been reported. (FEWSNET, 29 Dec 2019)

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