Kenya flood death toll hits 10

At least 10 people have died across Kenya after heavy rains triggered flooding and landslides in ​several regions, police said, as authorities warned rising ‌river levels could threaten communities downstream from a major hydropower dam system.

Seven of the deaths were reported in eastern Kenya. Police ​said two bridges were damaged in Kwale county ​on the coast and in Kitui in the east, ⁠while landslides were reported in parts of Elgeyo ​Marakwet county in the Rift Valley.-Reuters

The rains fall within Kenya’s ​normal March to May wet season, but authorities say intense downpours and saturated ground have increased the risk of flooding and landslides.

Transport ​was disrupted after a landslide blocked the Iten–Kabarnet road ​near Kolol, the Kenya National Highways Authority said, adding that repairs ‌were ⁠under way and traffic had been diverted.

The Kenya Red Cross said there were unconfirmed reports of missing persons and marooned households in Mukuru Kwa Njenga, a densely populated ​area of Nairobi, ​and that ⁠it was providing relief assistance.

Separately, the interior ministry placed the lower Tana River basin ​on high alert, warning that heavy rainfall ​upstream had ⁠increased inflows into reservoirs within the Seven Forks dam system and raised flood risks downstream. The Tana River Delta, ⁠which ​is home to more than 100,000 ​people, could be among the areas affected, the ministry said.

-Reuters