The Kenya Meteorological Department has predicted high-intensity cloudbursts in the next three days.

In its advisory to the public, the weatherman explained that rainfall of over 20mm would hit parts of the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and the Highlands west and east of the Rift Valley, including the Nairobi area and southeastern lowlands, beginning March 9.

The rainfall would later intensify to over 30 mm on March 10 and spread to part of northwestern Kenya; the intensity would, however, start reducing on March 11.

A total of 31 counties will experience the forecasted weather shifts.

They are Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Homabay, Siaya, Migori, Busia, Kisumu, Kisii, Nyamira, Nandi, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Baringo, Nakuru, Trans-Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo- Marakwet, West-Pokot, Turkana, Marsabit, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Kiambu, Nairobi, Machakos, and Kajiado.

The weatherman cautioned the residents in the foregoing locations to prepare to handle such disastrous aftermaths as floods and flash flooding.

"Residents in all the mentioned areas are advised to be on the lookout for potential floods, flash floods and poor visibility. People are advised not to shelter under trees and near grilled windows to minimize exposure to lightning strikes. Updates will be provided promptly if there are any changes," the meteorological department said.

At the same time, the weatherman petitioned the relevant national and county government agencies and non-governmental entities to be ready to handle any crisis that might follow the rains.

The Kenya Red Cross said its teams would be on standby to mitigate the aftereffects of the predicted heavy downpour.

"The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued an advisory for heavy rainfall. Residents in all the mentioned areas are advised to be on the lookout for potential floods and flash floods. The Kenya Red Cross is prepared to offer prompt and supportive assistance, ensuring community safety and well-being," it said.

This comes close to a year after periods of heavy rains (between March 1 and May 16) turned disastrous.

According to the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC), about 290 people were killed in flooding instances across the country; 188 were injured, and 75 went missing, while 278,380 people from 56,000 households were displaced.

The heavy rains interfered with the academic calendar as the government often postponed schools reopening to protect learners from the adversities or deaths caused by the floods.

Infrastructures in schools were badly damaged by the floodwaters in the affected areas, hence making learning untenable.

At the time, the government allocated KSh 4 billion to rehabilitate the installations and other infrastructure damaged by the downpour.

Source: TUKO.co.ke