Believe the weatherman when he says it will pour

After the heavy rain experienced in parts of Mombasa town on Wednesday night, motorists and residents were left stranded as they tried to wade through the floods. The heavy downpour of  more than 30mm rendered most of the roads in the county impassable.

“This is the path we use when heading to our different work places. Over the years, every time  it rains, we are forced to walk through the water. It seems our county officials don’t care because up to now the drainage system hasn’t been fixed,” said one of the residents.

The Kenya Meteorological Department earlier this week issued an advisory report warning of heavy downpour from Wednesday to Friday along Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu. In the advisory, residents were warned against driving or walking through fast moving waters. Fishermen were also asked to be on high alert due to the strong winds offshore that could result in a storm surge.

Those waiting to use the ferry had to wait for the rains to subside. The residents of Kaa Chonjo woke up to blocked sewer lines and flooded houses. The men rushed to unblock the biggest sewer in the area that drains into the ocean while women and children used anything to scoop water from their houses.

“Almost all my electrical appliances have been destroyed. My clothes are soaked up and the rains are still going on, ” said Mr Nyang’au, a resident of the area.

PHOTO | WACHIRA MAINA

A number of motorists said that the situation has been the same since 2013 despite funds being allocated to roadworks. According to Matatu Owners Association Coast coordinator, Salim Mbarak over one hundred thousand Kenya shillings has been spent on road repairs saying that stakeholders have been engaging the county on how best to improve the drainage.

“The effort put on the works is not enough,” said Mr. Mbarak.

The Met. department now says that the heavy rains are expected in the whole of Coast region.

 

What do you think is a lasting solution to floods in Kenya?

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