NAIROBI, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Rain-triggered disasters including flash floods and landslide have killed at least 120 people and affected more than 160,000 others across Kenya, destroying key infrastructure and livelihoods in the East African nation, a United Nations agency said on Wednesday.
The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) which cited figures from the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) and the government said the figure includes 72 people who lost their lives after a landslide buried their houses in West Pokot County in northwestern Kenya.
The agency said the heavy rains have driven flash floods, mudslides and landslides in at least 31 out of 47 counties, hampering effective humanitarian response efforts in affected areas.
"Overall, more than 160,000 people, including nearly 18,000 who are displaced countrywide, have been affected by floods or landslides since the onset of the short rains in October," OCHA said.
It said most parts of the country continue to experience above-average rainfall since the onset of the 2019 short rains (October-December).
According to OCHA, while the rains - driven by the strong positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) - might result in improved pasture conditions in arid and semi-arid lands, especially Turkana, Marsabit, Isiolo, and Wajir counties, as well as recharge of surface water pans and dams, including in Masinga, Kiambere and Turkwell dams, there are also reports of overspread damage, loss of lives and livelihoods due to heavy storms.
Landslides and mudslides have been reported in Meru, Murang'a, Taita Taveta and West Pokot counties, it said, citing the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS).
On November 22, landslides and mudslides in parts of West Pokot County resulted in the death of at least 72 people and displacement of more than 10,000 people, KRCS said.
According to the County authorities, priority needs in the area include food and shelter, medical attention, water treatment chemicals and critical non-food items.
The heavy rains follow a period of prolonged drought which saw the number of severely food insecure people in Kenya rise to 3.1 million since October, according to the latest report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.
