Nairobi—Kenya announced on Sunday that the death toll from weeks of relentless rains and floods had climbed to 228, cautioning that there was no respite in sight from the crisis.

Despite Kenya and neighboring Tanzania avoiding significant damage from a tropical cyclone that weakened post its landfall on Saturday, authorities in Nairobi highlighted the continued onslaught of torrential downpours and the persistent threat of further floods and landslides.

In western Kenya, the River Nyando overflowed its banks early Sunday, submerging a police station, school, hospital, and market in the town of Ahero in Kisumu County, according to police reports.

Although there were no immediate reports of casualties, local authorities warned that water levels were still rising, with the main bridge outside Kisumu on the highway to Nairobi already submerged.

The region has been grappling with heavier-than-usual seasonal rains, compounded by the El Niño weather pattern, causing chaos across East Africa, a region particularly susceptible to climate change.

More than 400 people have lost their lives, and several hundred thousand have been displaced in multiple countries due to floods and mudslides ravaging homes, roads, and bridges.

“This is a grave situation, and it demands our utmost attention,” remarked Isaac Mwaura, the Kenyan government spokesman, during a briefing on Sunday.

‘Growing Concerns of a Broader Humanitarian Crisis’

Across the border, the Tanzania Meteorological Authority announced that Tropical Cyclone Hidaya, which had posed a threat of exacerbating the situation, had “completely dissipated” after hitting Mafia Island on Saturday.

Consequently, the authority assured that there was no further risk from Tropical Cyclone ‘Hidaya’ in the country.

Despite the cyclone’s weakening, Tanzania remains severely affected by floods, with 155 fatalities recorded since early April.

In Kenya, Mwaura noted that while the cyclone had diminished, it had brought strong winds and waves to the coast, with heavy rains expected to escalate from later on Sunday.

Tragically, one fisherman had lost his life, and another was reported missing, he added.

The disaster has claimed 228 lives in Kenya since March, with 72 individuals still unaccounted for, according to government data.

Over 212,000 people have been displaced, with many being evacuated either voluntarily or involuntarily, as highlighted by Mwaura.

The government has issued directives for residents living near major rivers or dams to evacuate the area immediately or face compulsory evacuation for their safety, as several dams and reservoirs are on the brink of overflowing.

Mwaura also cautioned about the risk of waterborne diseases, citing a case of cholera and incidents of diarrhea.

Jagan Chapagain, head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), expressed deep concerns about a broader humanitarian crisis due to the forecasts of more rainfall.

Criticism has been directed at the Kenyan government for its alleged lack of preparedness and slow response to the crisis despite prior weather warnings, with the main opposition Azimio party urging for it to be declared a national disaster.

President William Ruto, in a national address on Friday, acknowledged the dire weather situation, attributing the calamitous cycle of droughts and floods to a failure in environmental protection.

In the deadliest single incident in Kenya, 58 people lost their lives when a dam burst near Mai Mahiu in the Rift Valley north of Nairobi on Monday, as reported by the interior ministry.

Several dozen individuals are still missing.

Rescue efforts are underway for the 13 individuals still unaccounted for after a boat capsized in Tana River County, resulting in seven fatalities, according to the ministry.