NAIROBI, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 46 people have died and thousands of others were displaced as the intensity of El Nino rains increased in Kenya.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said that most of the deaths had been caused by flooding, as the government issued fresh flood alerts Tuesday.
"I appeal to Kenyans not to take chances with floodwaters. We have already lost 46 people due to the rains. Please evacuate from flood areas, or we will force you so that we can save lives," Kindiki said Monday evening.
The worst affected areas are Wajir, Garissa, and Mandera counties in northern Kenya, Makueni and Kitui in eastern and Homa Bay and Kisumu in western Kenya.
The Kenyan government on Tuesday issued fresh alerts in three counties namely Garissa, Kitui, and Tana River.
The Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (TARDA) said the level of water in the two water bodies had risen significantly to over five meters high due to the ongoing heavy rains and warned of more flooding at any time.
"In light of these developments, we ask residents to remain vigilant and be prepared. It is crucial for communities to heed warnings issued by authorities and move to higher grounds for safety," TARDA managing director Liban Duba said in a statement.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has predicted that the rains would go on until January, pointing to more destruction if the intensity increases. ■
