Traffic gridlock today morning in Mombasa town as motorists struggled to navigate vehicles through flooded roads due to the last night downpour hours after the Kenya Meteorological Department had warned of heavy downpour.
The heavy rains, which started on Wednesday night, have caused flooding on several parts of Mombasa County.
Some pedestrians remained stranded at the ferry waiting bay as they waited for the rains to subside.
Meteorologist altered the coastal residents of the pounding of heavy downfall three days go.
They said heavy rains are expected in the whole of Coast region and warned residents in the Counties of, Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi , Tana River and Lamu of heavy rainfall to be experienced from October 24 to 26.
The heavy rains will be accompanied by strong winds and large waves affecting Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu counties.
“Heavy rainfall of more than 30mm in 24 hours expected on Wednesday. The rainfall is expected to intensify to more than 40mm in 24 hours on Thursday along the South Coast,” read the advisory issued by the department.
On Friday, the rains are expected to intensity. Residents in the mentioned counties have also been advised to be on the lookout for flash floods.
“People should avoid driving, wading or walking through any fast moving waters. The heavy rains and strong winds offshore may result in storm surge along the Coast hence fishermen and all in the marine industry should be on high alert,” warned the weatherman.
It was reported in the notice that the rainfall would be moderate of a probability occurrence of 33 to 66%. “Heavy rainfall of more than 30 mm in 24 hours is expected on Wednesday over the coastal region of Kenya.
“These rains will be accompanied by strong winds and large waves,” read the notice. Residents on the mentioned areas have also been advised to be on the lookout for flash floods.
“People should avoid driving, wading or walking through any fast moving waters. The heavy rains and strong winds off shore may result in storm surge along the Coast”. Fishermen and all in the Marine industry have been advised to be on high alert. Residents have also been asked to be listening to local media as updates will be provided if the conditions change.
However the rainfall is expected to intensify to more than 40 mm in 24 hours on Thursday along the south Coast,” read the notice. It further read that on Friday, the rainfall intensity expected along the Coast will decrease to 30 mm in 24 hours.