Weatherman puts Tana River in high flood risk areas as rainfall persists

The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued an early flood warning alert indicating a high risk of flooding across the Tana River Basin until May 4, 2026, following continued heavy rainfall in the region.

In the latest bulletin on its X account on April 29, 2026, the agency warns that moderate to heavy rains are expected to persist over the next seven days, building on rainfall already recorded in the past week. This is projected to significantly raise river levels, especially along key monitoring points.

At the Garissa Gauge Station, water levels are expected to rise sharply, reaching about 6.4 metres by May 2, 2026, which is above the official flood warning threshold of 5.0 metres. The levels are then expected to remain elevated before gradually declining early next week.

“Key Highlights (Garissa Gauge Station): Levels are expected to remain elevated before gradually declining towards early next week. Water levels are projected to rise significantly, reaching up to ~6.4m by May 2. This exceeds the flood warning threshold (>5.0m),” Kenya Met said.

The agency has flagged a high flood risk for several areas within the basin, including Garissa, Hola, and Garsen, warning that communities in low-lying and flood-prone zones are most vulnerable.

Authorities caution that flooding may disrupt transport networks, livelihoods, and access to essential services if the rains persist as forecast.

“High Flood Risk across parts of the Tana River Basin, including Garissa, Hola, and Garsen,” Kenya Met said.

Rainfall forecast across regions

The alert follows a broader advisory from the Kenya Meteorological Department warning of continued rainfall across several parts of the country.

Areas expected to receive rainfall include the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, Nairobi, the wider Rift Valley, the Coast, and Northeastern Kenya.

The forecast also indicates the possibility of intense storms in some regions, which could result in flash floods, rising river levels, reduced visibility, and landslides, particularly in the Aberdare ranges and Mt Kenya region.

“Rainfall is expected to continue across several parts of the country… Heavy rainfall events are likely in some areas,” the Met Department stated.

The Department advised residents in the areas earmarked to receive rainfall to avoid walking through moving water and taking shelter under trees or near windows during storms.

More Articles

---