NAIROBI, April 23 (Xinhua) -- At least six people have died in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, after flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall swept through several neighborhoods over the past two days, authorities said Wednesday.
Nairobi Police Commander George Sedah warned that the death toll could rise, as more people may have been swept away in the chaos that left behind a trail of destruction and damaged property.
Among the victims were a mother and her two children who died in the Mathare slums when a boulder collapsed onto their home. Preliminary investigations indicate that an overflowing river had undermined the soil, weakening the structure and causing the rock to fall onto the house while the family was asleep.
In response to the floods, local authorities have begun evacuating residents whose homes are at risk of flooding or rockfalls.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has forecast continued heavy rains in the coming days and is urging residents to exercise extreme caution to prevent further loss of life. ■
