Nairobi, Kenya—Flash floods have claimed several more lives in Nairobi following hours of torrential rain. The water surged through low-lying neighborhoods late last night. Drainage systems failed to handle the volume, sending rivers of debris into densely populated areas.

Emergency responders are working through the night to pull people from submerged structures. Residents in informal settlements have seen their homes swept away by the rising water. The situation is being described as one of the worst instances of urban flooding this season.

Major roads across the capital have been turned into impassable waterways. Public transport has been suspended indefinitely as buses and cars remain trapped in mud. City authorities are advising citizens to avoid all non-essential movement until the water levels recede.

Public health officials fear the flooding will lead to an outbreak of waterborne diseases. Stagnant water is now pooling in residential areas, mixing with sewage. Local clinics are struggling to provide basic care to those who have lost their homes and medical supplies.

Presidential decree has ordered the deployment of military personnel to assist with the ongoing rescue efforts. Food and emergency medical supplies are being airlifted to the hardest-hit zones. Despite these efforts, the scale of the damage across the city is overwhelming existing resources.

Meteorological departments warned of the intense rainfall earlier this week, but few were prepared for the speed of the flooding. The city’s infrastructure is under intense pressure as the intensity of the storm continues. More rain is expected throughout the coming week, further complicating recovery.

The loss of life is expected to increase as search teams reach the furthest edges of the affected districts. Thousands of families are currently displaced and seeking shelter in community schools and churches. Many have lost their only assets to the sudden surge of water.

There is growing public anger regarding the lack of long-term investment in urban drainage. Officials have promised to address these failures in the past, but the recurring nature of the floods remains a source of frustration. For now, the city remains in a state of emergency.