Thunderstorms hit Italy in aftermath of Storm Hans

After Storm Hans battered northern Italy in the runup to Easter, severe weather continued to lash much of the country this week.

Since Tuesday, the conditions have triggered potent showers and thunderstorms.

According to The Guardian, yellow and orange weather warnings have been issued.

With winds generally remaining light this week, the greatest concerns surround the risks from intense rainfall.

This comes as slow-moving heavy showers can deliver a prolonged downpour to a fairly localised area.

The authorities have warned people to avoid high-risk areas.

These are areas such as roads with steep embankments amid a threat of flash flooding and mudslides.

Residents have been advised not to use basements in the event of rainfall and to report any drain blockages in urban areas.

Meanwhile, northern regions are on highest alert for flooding.

This was after heavy rainfall increased soil saturation and heightened water levels.

The most severe storms have been towards the Adriatic.

During torrential showers in the Marche region on Wednesday, several locations recorded 10-20mm of rainfall within half an hour.

In farther south, in Abruzzo and Molise, there were reports of hail the size of chickpeas.

Although the weekend is expected to bring some respite, thunderstorms are likely to return early next week.

According to weather predictions, this would happen before drier and calmer conditions at the start of May.

In Kenya, heavy rain in Nairobi on Monday and Tuesday led to at least seven deaths in flash flooding.

Authorities said the total could rise as more victims may be discovered downstream.

At least 60,000 people have been affected by the floods, with more than 500 forced from their homes.

Many of these people are within Nairobi’s Mukuru slum region.

Farther west, in Narok County, two people died after being swept away while attempting to cross a swollen river.

Also, eight cows were killed when the tree they were sheltering under was struck by lightning.

Kenya’s primary rainy season, known as masika, occurs in mid-March to late May.

It is characterised by periods of prolonged steady rainfall interspersed with heavier downpours.

Alongside the risks of injury and damage posed by floods, the rainy season could exacerbate a cholera outbreak in Kenya.

This is because sewage-contaminated flood water are bound to spread infectious disease.

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