SERIOUS ROAD TRAFFIC DUE TO HEAVY RAINFALL IN NAIROBI, KENYA

Heavy down pour in Nairobi has resulted in the area having serious flood which has affected the road network in the area. Due to this incident, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has urged motorists to drive carefully to avoid accidents.

NTSA made the announcement via its twitter account by encouraging the drivers to switch on their headlights during downpours to avoid hitting pedestrians.

According to NTSA, “Increase your visibility by turning on your headlights and watch out for pedestrians when driving in the rain,”

The flooding was experienced on several highways within and out of the city causing traffic. Such major traffic was witnessed at Mbagathi Highway, Ngong Road, Valley Waiyaki Way, Mombasa Road along Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and City Cabanas.

Meanwhile, most motorists blamed the flooding to faulty road designs causing poor drainage. Nairobi Traffic Commandant Joshua Omukuta said various parts of the city have experienced heavy traffic jams following the down pour.

Speaking to the media via a telephone, Omukuta said “There was a tree that fell along Raila Odinga Road, and this had an effect on that and other roads. It has however been cleared now,” 

Meanwhile, the Kenya Meteorological Department on Tuesday issued a forecast for enhanced rainfall over the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, Central and South Rift Valley, the Northwest, the Highlands East of the Rift Valley (including Nairobi County) and the Southeastern lowlands.

The forecast for March-April-May (MAM) 2022 “Long-Rains” Season also predicted near average rainfall over Northeastern and the Coastal regions. It is also gathered that the peak of the rains is expected to be in the month of April for most regions except over the Coastal Strip where the peak is expected during the month of May.

The Meteorological Department further cautioned that some areas will likely experience rainfall above the long-term average amounts (above normal) for the season. Such areas outline by the Meteorological Department includes; Siaya, Kisumu, Kisii, Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, Laikipia, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma and Busia

SOURCE: Capital FM