Floods kill 280 people in East Africa, 2.8 mn affected

At least 280 people have been killed and more than 2.8 million others affected by unusually heavy rainfall and flooding in eastern Africa.

According to a United Nations Human Rights Agency report, unusually heavy rains and floods in East Africa have killed at least 280 people and affected more than 800,000 people.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs (OCHA), infrastructure and livelihoods in the most affected areas have been damaged, and the risk of other diseases, including cholera, fever, is increasing.

The OCHA said in its latest regional Flash Floods update, “There is a possibility of strong rain in December, which lasts until the end of December and rainfall is still possible in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

OCHA further stated “At least 132 people have reportedly died, including 72 who were killed by a landslide which buried their homes in West Pokot County.”

The storms have destroyed and damaged important infrastructure, including homes, health care and schools in Kenya, including houses, health facilities and schools, displacing an unconfirmed number of people and disrupting basic services.