The number of individuals impacted by flooding in East Africa increased from 1.1 million people in 2016 to around four million individuals in 2019. In 2019 the high rainfall was blamed on the Indian Ocean. A big temperature differential between the east and west sides of the Ocean was said to have caused the rains.
East Africa flooding
This year the number of individuals affected by flooding was even higher. Close to six million individuals were affected by flooding this year in East African countries. Amongst these six million people, 1.5 million people have been forced to leave their homes due to the heavy rains. It is impossible to believe that the rains are causing such effects even before the short rains. The short rains in East Africa usually peak in November and hit most countries in the region.
The rise in seasonal rainfall in East Africa has caused widespread flooding in parts of different countries. Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Sudan have been affected by the flooding. Ethiopia recorded having 1.1 million people affected by the flooding this year.
East Africa Flooding in Somalia
Meanwhile, in Somalia, approximately 695,000 individuals are said to have been affected by the flooding in five different parts of Somalia. Furthermore, 215,000 individuals were displaced from their homes in Somalia due to the floods. These individuals had to leave their homes to find safer shelter for themselves and their families. Somalia’s government declared a national emergency in Somalia as the floods destroyed people’s homes and forced them to leave to save their lives.
Flooding in Kenya
Similarly, in Kenya, heavy rains have been intense since April this year. Furthermore the heavy rains have caused landslides, flooding, death, and displacement in multiple parts across the country. The Rift Valley and Central regions of Kenya have suffered most from the landslides that cause destruction and loss of lives. The Kenya Meteorological Department reported that more heavy rains would fall in the coming days. Additionally, they stated the Western, Central, Rift Valley, and the coastal areas would be affected more.
Flooding in Sudan
In Sudan, close to all states in the country have experienced heavy flooding. In addition the country was one of the hardest hit by the flooding in East Africa. More than 120 Sudanese citizens have lost their lives due to the floods. Around 860,000 individuals had their homes damaged or destroyed by the heavy rains. Entire communities in some areas in Sudan have ended up fleeing their neighborhoods to seek better shelter. On the other hand, other individuals have had to move to escape the River Nile’s rising waters. Furthermore numerous homes along the River are underwater.
Flooding in Rwanda
Across Rwanda, heavy rains started battering most of the country on May 1, 2020. The constant heavy rainfall resulted in landslides and severe flooding in Rwanda. Additionally, the rains damaged hundreds of homes and roads in different parts of Rwanda. Furthermore the most affected areas in Rwanda were the hilly and mountainous areas in the country. These areas are mostly in the northern and western parts of Rwanda.
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