A matatu driver drives through a flooded road in Mombasa on Wednesday morning. [Photo/ nation.co.ke]
Parts of Mombasa were on Wednesday flooded following heavy downpour being experienced in the county.The rains caused traffic snarl-ups on different major roads during the morning hours as motorists struggled to drive through the floods.The Kenya Meteorological Department had earlier said the region would experience heavy downpour from October 31 to November 6, with a likely hood of experiencing strong southeasterly winds of up to 15m/s. Peter Ambenje, the director of the metrological department, said there will be heavy offshore rains, with the South Coast region likely to be among the most affected areas. Ambeje asked residents to exercise caution and warned them against wading through the floods.“They should avoid wading through the waters,” said Ambenje, as quoted by the Nation.He also cautioned fishermen to be vigilant, saying the ocean will be rough due to the heavy rains and strong winds, which may, in turn, pose a risk to small vessels.However, farmers and pastoralists in the Coast region are happy with the rains following a long period of drought that hit the region. Residents in Kilifi and Tana River, who were the most affected by the prolonged drought, had to walk for several miles to fetch water for domestic use.The rains are expected to be experienced in Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Mombasa and Tana River.