Residential neighborhood in Nairobi faces El Niño risks

Abigail Arunga, an environmental advocate in Nairobi, Kenya, is worried about the upcoming El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to be the worst on record. She highlighted the dangers of heavy rains that have previously caused severe flooding in parts of the city.

Flooding impacts from previous rains

Last year, heavy rains in western Nairobi led to flooding that swept away cars and trapped people in their homes. These incidents have raised concerns about the potential for similar disasters this year.

El Niño expected to intensify rainfall

Nairobi's rainy season typically begins in October, but this year's rainfall is predicted to be more intense due to the return of El Niño. The phenomenon is expected to reach its peak by the end of 2026, increasing the risk of flooding and other weather-related hazards.

El Niño's effects across Africa

In Africa, El Niño is forecast to bring extreme heat, droughts, and floods. These conditions can have severe impacts on agriculture, water availability, and public health across the continent.

Humanitarian concerns from past El Niño

According to a statement on the social media platform X, Tom Fletcher, deputy head of humanitarian affairs at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said the last El Niño event from 2023 to 2024 left tens of millions of people in need of assistance, including food, water, sanitation, healthcare, agricultural support, and protection.

El Niño's natural occurrence and frequency

El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon that occurs on average every 2 to 7 years. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), this year's El Niño is expected to be even more severe than the previous one, raising concerns about its potential impact on vulnerable populations.