NAIROBI - The Kenyan government has issued an alert over possible flash floods in parts of the country following the start of the country's October-to-December short rains, which may be exacerbated by possible mild-to-moderate El Niño conditions.

In northern Kenya's Dadaab refugee complex, flash floods have destroyed tents, inundated roads and affected an estimated 5,640 families, according to the Kenya Red Cross. In Tigania, in eastern Kenya, an estimated 21 households have been affected by floods.

"Flooding and land/mudslides are likely to occur in prone areas of Western, Lower Tana and Central Kenya. Areas to watch out for flooding include the Northeastern areas around Garissa, Lower Tana, Kano plains in Nyanza and Budalang'i in Western Province. Other areas prone to landslides/mudslides are Murang'a and Nandi Hills areas," the Kenya Meteorological Department said in its latest outlook.

The government has begun sensitizing residents in areas likely to be affected, should the need to evacuate arise.

"We are carrying out campaigns and sensitizing those who reside in these to leave when they are called upon to. Their ability to respond to calls to leave could mean life or death," Andrew Mondo, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Special Programmes, told IRIN.

Aid agencies, too, have been called to action. "[Through] multi-sectoral meetings with aid organizations, [they have been] alerted to ensure they are able to provide essential services, even in the face of heavy rains and flooding," Olekina Koitomet from the Crisis Response Centre, told IRIN.

"The Ministry of Special Programs is already ferrying food and non-food items to these areas and the Ministry of Health has also been advised to preposition medical supplies," he added.

Source:  Integrated Regional Information Networks (http://www.irinnews.org )

Flood seems to be common thing now, good news is that governments are tackling it specially in Nigeria.