NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The torrential rains and deadly floods that have hit Kenya since March have been some of the most catastrophic in the country in recent years.At least 169 people have died due to the heavy rains, with more than 91 missing, according to the latest government figures.In the most tragic single event, at least 48 people were killed on Monday after water blew through a blocked river tunnel under a railway bridge in southwestern Kenya, causing a flash flood. The rain has displaced more than 100,000 people and damaged roads and other infrastructure.The devastating rains are a result of a mix of factors, including the country’s seasonal weather patterns, human-caused climate change as well as natural weather phenomena.Here’s how they combined to create the deadly deluge.WHAT IS KENYA’S “LONG RAINS” SEASON?Kenya and some other parts of eastern Africa have two main rainfall periods: the “long rains” season of March to May, and the “short rains” season of October to December.The “long rains” season is when most of the country’s average annual rainfall occurs. It’s often characterized by torrential rains, and sometimes goes up to June.In its forecast for this year’s “long rains” season, the Kenya Meteorological Department predicted above-average rainfall in many parts of the country, with occasional storms in some. It also warned of flash floods, landslides, mudslides and other impacts.Last year’s “short rains” season was characterized by severe storms in many parts of the country, particularly in November. Lamu, Mombasa and Garissa counties received nearly three times their long-term average rainfall, according to the meteorological department.WHY IS THE RAIN SO INTENSE THIS TIME?The frequency, patterns and intensity of rainfall in Kenya are influenced by naturally occurring climate systems like the Indian Ocean Dipole.The Indian Ocean Dipole is a swinging of sea surface temperatures that …
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
[mwai_chat context=”Let’s have a discussion about this article:nnNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The torrential rains and deadly floods that have hit Kenya since March have been some of the most catastrophic in the country in recent years.At least 169 people have died due to the heavy rains, with more than 91 missing, according to the latest government figures.In the most tragic single event, at least 48 people were killed on Monday after water blew through a blocked river tunnel under a railway bridge in southwestern Kenya, causing a flash flood. The rain has displaced more than 100,000 people and damaged roads and other infrastructure.The devastating rains are a result of a mix of factors, including the country’s seasonal weather patterns, human-caused climate change as well as natural weather phenomena.Here’s how they combined to create the deadly deluge.WHAT IS KENYA’S “LONG RAINS” SEASON?Kenya and some other parts of eastern Africa have two main rainfall periods: the “long rains” season of March to May, and the “short rains” season of October to December.The “long rains” season is when most of the country’s average annual rainfall occurs. It’s often characterized by torrential rains, and sometimes goes up to June.In its forecast for this year’s “long rains” season, the Kenya Meteorological Department predicted above-average rainfall in many parts of the country, with occasional storms in some. It also warned of flash floods, landslides, mudslides and other impacts.Last year’s “short rains” season was characterized by severe storms in many parts of the country, particularly in November. Lamu, Mombasa and Garissa counties received nearly three times their long-term average rainfall, according to the meteorological department.WHY IS THE RAIN SO INTENSE THIS TIME?The frequency, patterns and intensity of rainfall in Kenya are influenced by naturally occurring climate systems like the Indian Ocean Dipole.The Indian Ocean Dipole is a swinging of sea surface temperatures that …nnDiscussion:nn” ai_name=”RocketNews AI: ” start_sentence=”Can I tell you more about this article?” text_input_placeholder=”Type ‘Yes'”]
