At Least 23 Dead In Floods In Nairobi

NAIROBI (Kenya), March 8 (Bernama-dpa) -- At least 23 people have died in Kenya's capital Nairobi as a result of heavy rainfall and flooding, police said on Saturday, reported German news agency dpa. 

Some residents drowned, while others were killed by damaged power cables. Rescue workers and the military were deployed to search for the missing and help people trapped in houses and cars.

Dozens of cars were washed away, police said. The power grid was interrupted in some parts of the capital. Roads, shops and other infrastructure were also damaged. Numerous flights were cancelled at Nairobi International Airport.

President William Ruto described the floods and numerous deaths as tragic. The government will act quickly to protect lives, Ruto said.

He ordered relief supplies to be released from national reserves.

The Kenyan Meteorological Service warned of further heavy rainfall in the coming days in Nairobi and other areas in the south and east of the country.

--BERNAMA-dpa