The Kenya Red Cross has called for “emergency action” amid intensifying rains and floods that have so far killed at least 15 people and displaced more than 85,000 households in the East African state.

The World Meteorological Organisation said that El Niño, the phenomenon behind the heavy rains, is likely to persist at least until April 2024.

The Kenya Red Cross saidthat the counties of Garissa, Tana River and Kilifi were at risk of flooding as the heavy rains push water in the Tana River beyond “critical levels”.

In the neighbouring Mandera county, the town of Elwak town has been entirely submerged.

“The humanitarian situation is dire. Thousands are in need of life saving interventions in food, water and access to health care. We must mobilise urgently and to the right scale,” Kenya Red Cross CEO Ahmed Idris said.

Heavy rains have swept through East Africa in recent days, leading to flooding in parts of Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia.