East African countries had recently faced the worst drought in decades.
For four consecutive seasons the rains had been scarce. Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia and Kenya saw the driest seasons and hottest temperatures since satellite record keeping began. Crops failed. Livestock died. And water shortages forced many out of their homes. For more than 20 million people across the region acute food insecurity became a tragic reality.
Now too much rain is killing people and displacing tens of thousands.
In Ethiopia the combined effects of heavy rains, floods and landslide have so far claimed 43 lives. Hundreds of thousands are displaced. In the most impacted Somali region, more than 600 000 are affected. Damages to roads and bridges have made it difficult for relief workers to reach those who need help.
In Somalia torrential rains have destroyed homes and now more than a million and a half people are in need of help. The death toll from the floods has reached 50 but more severe rain is in the forecast which could mean more devastating damages.
In Kenya the rains have prompted the halting of cargo services by the rail operator. The heavy downpours are linked with the El Niño weather phenomenon which refers to an above average sea surface temperature.
