The Kenya Meteorological Department has introduced a new mobile application, FASTA (Forecasting African Storms Application), to provide Kenyans with up-to-the-minute weather updates, particularly on storms.

The app offers live weather conditions and real-time projections of storm development over two hours. Users can select from two options: storm regions, indicating areas with ongoing storm activity, and storm rainfall, displaying current rainfall patterns.

The unveiling of the FASTA app coincides with a period of heavy rainfall in the country, leading to widespread damage. The weather forecast for April 9 to April 13 predicts continued heavy downpours in various regions, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius in Northeastern counties like Marsabit, Mandera, and Wajir.

“Rainfall is expected to persist across the nation, with intense showers forecasted in Central Highlands, Western Kenya, Rift Valley, South-eastern lowlands, Coast, North-eastern, and North-western Kenya,” stated the meteorological forecast.

The weather outlook further indicates that counties in the Highlands East of the Rift Valley will experience morning rains in select areas, followed by afternoon showers and thunderstorms, with nighttime showers in multiple locations.

As flooding persists, the Kenya National Highways Authority has closed several roads due to the heavy rains.

The National Transport and Safety Authority has issued a cautionary advisory, urging road users to exercise heightened vigilance and prioritize safety, especially in these challenging weather conditions. NTSA Director General George Njao stressed the importance of road safety and consideration for vulnerable users during this period.