Kenya Meteorological Service Authority: El Nino Risk Counties Identified

• The Kenyan government has identified 18 counties at risk of being affected by El Nino.
• The National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) has conducted a national risk assessment, prioritizing areas based on vulnerability to El Nino risks.
• High-risk urban centres include Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu, with risks including flooding, drainage blockages, infrastructure strain, and service disruptions.
• Residents in flood-prone areas are advised to take necessary precautions to minimize damage and displacement.

The government's plan prioritizes these counties based on their vulnerability to El Nino risks, with more areas potentially being included in the response planning if deemed necessary.

The Kenyan government has taken proactive steps to mitigate the effects of El Nino by identifying high-risk counties and outlining a comprehensive response plan. The National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) has conducted a national risk assessment, which places 18 counties in the Coastal, Lake Basin, Rift Valley, and North Eastern regions at the highest level of vulnerability. These areas are expected to experience various risks, including flash floods, landslides, drought, disease outbreaks, and infrastructure damage. The government's plan prioritizes these counties based on their vulnerability to El Nino risks, with more areas potentially being included in the response planning if deemed necessary.

The Coastal Region is expected to experience flooding, storm surges, coastal erosion, and infrastructure damage, displacing residents in some areas. In the Lake Basin region, counties such as Kisumu, Busia, Siaya, Homa Bay, and Migori will face flooding, landslides, disease outbreaks, and displacement cases. Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu have been identified as high-risk urban centres, with risks including flooding, drainage blockages, infrastructure strain, and service disruptions. The Rift Valley Region's counties of Turkana, Baringo, West Pokot, and Narok may experience drought, flash floods, landslides, livestock losses, and food insecurity. Similarly, the North Eastern Region's Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera counties are at risk of drought, water scarcity, livestock losses, poor pasture, and food insecurity.

Lawyers advising clients in high-risk counties should be aware of the potential for infrastructure damage, flash floods, and landslides. The government's response plan aims to mitigate these risks by prioritizing affected areas and deploying emergency teams. Residents in flood-prone areas are advised to take necessary precautions to minimize damage and displacement. The Kenya Meteorological Service Authority has indicated a strong El Nino event forming up, with an 81% chance of above-normal rainfall from October this year.

Lawyers advising clients in high-risk counties should be aware of the potential for infrastructure damage, flash floods, and landslides, and advise their clients to take necessary precautions to mitigate these risks.

Source: Original reporting via [Source]