The Kenya National Highways Authority has closed the Nairobi-Garissa Road following flooding at Mororo area between Madogo and Tana River Bridge.
In a statement Monday evening, KeNHA said the flooding is a result of the ongoing rains which have occasioned rising water levels of Tana River.
“The flooding at Mororo has compromised one lane of the road. This poses a high safety risk to the road users,” the authority said.
“The flooding has compromised one lane of the road. This poses a high safety risk to road users,” it added.
The closure of the road comes just three days after the authority advised motorists plying the Nairobi-Garissa Road to exercise caution when approaching the area around Mororo.
“The persisting rainfall portends further water rise which could affect other previously damaged road sections,” KeNHA said in an alert Friday evening.
Following the closure of the road on Monday, KeNHA said its staff are on site ready to deal with the washout immediately after the waters subside.
“We urge road users to be cautious and avoid driving in the floodwaters,” it added.
KeNHA further issued an advisory that the increased water levels have led to the Seven Folks Dams rapidly fill up to near full capacity, posing a possible risk to residents downstream.
Most parts of the country are currently experiencing enhanced rainfall with a high propensity to cause flash floods.
Authorities like the Red Cross and the Meteorological Department have advised residents in flood-prone areas to move to higher safer grounds to avert tragedy and loss of life.
The floods have rendered roads impassable in some areas.
The humanitarian organization advised against walking or driving through flood waters.
This, it said, puts one at risk of being knocked down by moving waters.
“Just six inches of moving water can knock you down and just one foot of moving water is enough to sweep your vehicle away,” Red Cross said.
The weatherman has said that the heavy rains are expected to continue in most parts of the country.
