Flooding and landslides in Kenya’s coastal region have halted rail cargo services to and from the port city of Mombasa, according to a statement on Saturday November 18th from the Kenya state-owned rail operator. Heavy rains led to flash floods, which submerged towns across East Africa. In Kenya the death toll from the floods reached at least 46, and was expected to rise further. Floods and a landslide on the railway line between the capital Nairobi and Mombasa forced Kenya Railways to close all cargo services, the rail operator said.
The railway also moves cargo to other countries in the region, including Rwanda, Uganda and South Sudan, Kenya Railways said.
According to Kenya Railways, the rains have also led to wash-aways and landslides in various sections of the 300 miles SGR (Standard Gauge Railway) running from Mombasa to Nairobi.
“Consequently, this has affected normal train operations including cargo transfers, loading as well as offloading activities at the Port of Mombasa. A section of the SGR corridor between Mombasa Terminus and Mariakani, has experienced a landslide which has resulted [in] the closure of the section for all freight trains,” Kenya Railways said.