NAIROBI, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The number of people killed in recent flooding in Kenya has risen to 71, police confirmed on Tuesday.
Police said more than half of the deaths occurred in parts of Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, where poor drainage, blocked rivers, and weak enforcement of building regulations exacerbated the situation.
"The cumulative number of fatalities has now risen to 71, with five additional deaths recorded. Nairobi remains the hardest-hit region, with 36 victims," National Police Service Spokesperson Michael Muchiri Nyaga said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
Heavy rainfall has triggered flooding in several parts of the country, leading to road closures, property damage, displacement, and distress among affected communities.
With rains expected to continue across the country, Nyaga urged the public to exercise extreme caution and vigilance, and to strictly follow updates and safety advisories issued by the Kenya Meteorological Department and other relevant government agencies.
The warning comes as the Kenya Meteorological Department forecasts continued rainfall across the country this week, with intensity expected to increase from Thursday as the long rains gradually build toward their April peak. ■