Deadly Floods Threaten East Africa’s Crucial Flower Industry
- Kenya, Ethiopia supply third of stems at FloraHolland auctions
- El Niño-induced flooding in Kenya has killed almost 260 people
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Heavy rains pounding East Africa that have caused the death of hundreds of people are hurting production of cut flowers in key producer Kenya.
The El Niño weather pattern has exacerbated the region’s March-to-May rainy season, triggering above-normal precipitation over a region just recovering from the worst drought in four decades. About 260 people in Kenya alone have been killed by torrents or mudslides, and dozens more are still missing.