NAIROBI, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Heavy rains have left 23 counties in Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL), which are normally prone to drought, severely flooded, the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) said on Wednesday.
The NDMA said in its latest report that the regions that had fully recovered from the recent drought are now grappling with flooding.
"Enhanced rainfall received throughout April led to extreme weather events in most ASAL counties," the NDMA said, adding that this resulted in flooding, with a significant proportion of the cropland remaining submerged in water.
The institution noted that the extensive flooding has undermined food security in ASAL areas.
Some of the regions were receiving up to 200 mm of rain in a day, according to the Kenya Meteorological Department, as climate change shifts weather patterns in the East African country, making the dry lands receive the most rain.
In March, the NDMA said the number of people in need of food assistance in Kenya stood at 2 million. However, the number would increase due to the disruption caused by the heavy rains.
According to the Kenyan government, at least 289 people have been killed, 188 injured, and 285,600 displaced, while some 412,336 others have been affected by the severe weather. ■
