Kenya may find itself from this weekend under heavy and persistent rainfall, a sort of announcement of the great rainy season.
These at least are the forecasts issued by the National Meteorological Department, which has already been monitoring for a week the situation of instability and the consequent disturbances in various parts of the country and which forecasts from next Monday a worsening of the situation with heavy rainfall of more than 30mm over the entire western region, the Rift Valley, the area of the capital Nairobi and the coastal region.
Among the areas that according to Kenyan meteorologists will be most affected are the Counties of Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa, Lamu, Tana-River, Taita Taveta, Nairobi, Nyeri, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Murang'a, Embu, Meru, Kirinyaga, Tharaka Nithi, Isiolo and Samburu.
The inhabitants of all the areas just mentioned were advised to be on their guard against potential flooding, landslides, especially on the slopes of the Aberdare mountain range, Mount Kenya and other hilly areas in the western region, and were asked to remain vigilant.
Other areas where it will rain in a slightly lighter form are Turkana, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Garissa, Busia, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet, Nakuru, Narok, Migori, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, West Pokot, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Vihiga, Bungoma, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Siaya, Kakamega and Nakuru.
The Department in a statement advises to avoid getting behind the wheel in the streets, not to work with vehicles in the fields and not to take shelter under trees or near iron frames to avoid the risk of being victims of lightning.
According to experts, today and tomorrow there should be peak rainfall, while from Monday the intensity should be reduced.
As far as the coast is concerned, heavy rainfall could be accompanied by very rough seas and strong winds of over twenty knots, with waves as high as two metres.
"Thunderstorms, large waves and strong winds off the Indian Ocean could cause storms along the coastal strip - writes the national bulletin - we advise fishermen and all operators in the maritime sector to observe maximum alert".