Floods Claim Lives in Kenya Amid El Niño Weather Phenomenon
It's a tragic turn of events in East Africa as at least 15 people have lost their lives due to floods in Kenya. This disaster happens despite a warning issued by the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) that more rain than usual could fall in the region between October and December this year, linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon.
Since the start of the rainy season, events in the Ethiopian region of Somali have been far from ideal. Over 20 people have perished, and more than 12,000 have been forced to leave their homes, according to regional government records. The UN's Ocha reported at least 14 deaths and more than 47,000 people needing emergency assistance in Somalia last Saturday.
El Niño is marked by the warming of surface water in the Pacific Ocean. This weather pattern occurs every two to seven years, often lasting nine to twelve months, bringing about heat and droughts in certain regions and heavy rainfall in others. In East Africa, the El Niño phenomenon was predicted to bring more rain than usual during October to December 2024 by Ocha.
The misfortune in Kenya has added to the existing challenges in this region. The heavy rain and related floods are equally causing havoc in Ethiopia, where the situation has been dire. According to reports, more than 20 people have died, and thousands have been left homeless.
El Niño's impact on East Africa's rainfall distribution and related disasters is significant. In the October to November to December (OND) 2024 season, below-average rainfall plagued Somalia, northeastern Kenya, and southern Ethiopia, leading to harsh drought conditions. The March to April to May (MAM) 2025 season forecasts hot and dry conditions for these same regions, with a high probability of below-normal rainfall.
Sadly, this sequence of unfortunate events has resulted in devastating floods, displacement, and casualties. Cyclones like Chido and Dikeledi have brought heavy rain, resulting in disastrous flooding and significant property damage. In areas like Somalia, the affected population includes over 160,000 children. The catastrophic floods in Tanzania impacted 210,000 people, resulting in 161 fatalities and widespread destruction.
The humanitarian crisis resulting from these disasters has been substantial. Large-scale displacement and deaths are on the rise. Burundi, for instance, experienced 227,000 people affected, with nearly 95,000 displaced. Kenya's 41 out of 47 counties have witnessed flood impacts on over 54,000 households.
The poor sanitation conditions during the floods have opened the door for health risks. Diseases such as acute watery diarrhea, cholera, and measles are on the rise in the affected children. Between 2023 and the present, over 230,000 cholera cases and 4,000 deaths have been recorded in the region thus far.
The unfavorable weather pattern remains a major challenge for East Africa's residents, leading to destructive events that shake the very fabric of their communities and lives. For this reason, it remains paramount to heed such warnings from international organizations like Ocha and to take appropriate measures that help protect the region's most vulnerable populations from the harsh consequences of climate change.
