The weatherman has warned that Nairobi, Central Kenya and Coastal counties will experience heavy rainfall of more than 20mm beginning Wednesday, October 16, at 6am.

Besides the listed areas, the intensity of the rainfall is expected to hit at least 40mm in Western Kenya, North Eastern and South Eastern regions beginning Thursday, October 17, to Sunday, October 20 at 9pm.

Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Nairobi, Nyeri, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Murang’a, Embu, Meru, Kirinyaga, Tharaka-Nithi, Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Taita-Taveta, Busia, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet, Nakuru, Narok, Migori, Nandi, Trans-Nzoia, Uasin-Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Vihiga, Bungoma, Homa-Bay, Kisumu, Siaya, Kakamega, Kajiado, Nakuru, Marsabit, Mandera and Wajir are the counties that the Kenya Meteorological Department says will be hardest hit by the downpour.

“Residents in all the mentioned areas are advised to be on the lookout for potential floods,” said the Kenya-MET in a press statement to newsrooms.

“Flood waters may suddenly appear even in places where it has not rained heavily and can be deeper and faster than they look, especially in semi-arid and urban areas,” added the weatherman.

“Residents are advised to avoid driving through, or walking in moving water or open fields, and not to shelter under trees and near grilled windows to avoid exposure to lighting strikes,” said Kenya-MET.

The weather forecaster has advised Kenyans living in landslide-prone areas such as Mt Kenya and Central Kenya regions “to be on high alert”.

“The heavy rains and moderate to strong winds may result in storm surges along the Coast, hence fishermen and all the marine industry should be on high alert,” said the weatherman.