Foreign

Kenya Flood Death Toll Rises to 62

At least 62 people have died in Kenya over the past week after heavy rains triggered widespread flooding across the country.

Authorities say the latest figure marks an increase from the previous death toll of 42 reported a week earlier.

Emergency responders carried out several rescue operations overnight in the capital, Nairobi.

According to the Kenya Red Cross, 11 passengers were rescued after a minibus taxi, locally known as a matatu, became trapped in rising floodwaters, while two children were also saved from a flooded house.

The heavy rainfall has caused flash floods in several parts of the country, with rivers bursting their banks and inundating homes, roads, and electricity and water infrastructure.

Kenya Interior Ministry warned that many regions are still experiencing heavy rains, raising the risk of further flooding.

Authorities have urged residents in low-lying areas to relocate to safer ground, while more than 2,000 people have already been displaced and are seeking temporary shelter.

Police say search and rescue operations are ongoing following what they described as “torrential rain and subsequent devastating flooding” affecting various parts of the country.

More than half of the fatalities — 33 — have been recorded in Nairobi, where poor drainage systems and blocked waterways caused by unregulated development have worsened the flooding.

President William Ruto said emergency food supplies and medical assistance were being delivered to affected communities, while authorities were also working to clear blocked drainage systems.

The flooding has also affected neighbouring Ethiopia, where more than 100 people have died following floods and landslides in the southern part of the country.

Experts say climate change is increasing the likelihood of extreme rainfall events.

Global temperatures have already risen by about 1.1°C since the industrial era, and scientists warn that temperatures will continue to climb unless countries significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions.

BBC/Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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