The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a weather advisory warning of heavy rains across several regions of the country, urging residents to remain cautious as the wet spell sets in.

In a statement on Friday, the department said parts of the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and the Highlands West of the Rift Valley are expected to receive rainfall of more than 20 millimetres within 24 hours.

The rains will spread to the Highlands East of the Rift Valley on Sunday, with the intensity expected to reduce from Wednesday, August 20.

“The heavy rainfall is likely to continue up to Tuesday. It is projected to reduce in intensity from Wednesday,” the advisory read.

Met further highlighted strong southerly winds exceeding 25 knots, equivalent to 12.9 metres per second, currently being experienced in the eastern sector and expected to persist.

The warning has been rated as medium in urgency and moderate in severity, with a 33 to 66 percent chance of occurrence.

Residents in the affected areas were cautioned to prepare for flash floods, poor visibility, and related risks.

“People leaving downstream rivers and along seasonal rivers should be careful since water may appear suddenly even though it may not be raining within the area,” the department warned.

The public was further advised to avoid crossing moving water, walking in flooded areas, or taking shelter in open fields. The advisory also discouraged seeking shelter under trees or near grilled windows due to the danger of lightning strikes.

The department warned that the strong winds could blow off roofs, uproot trees, and damage property.

Kenya Met said the alert has already been shared with the Presidency, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, the National Intelligence Service, Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority, the National Disaster Operations Centre, as well as county governments and disaster management units for immediate action.