Weatherman warns of landslides in Murang’a, says long rains likely to cause food insecurity.
The Kenya's
Meteorological Department warns of imminent landslides in Murang'a and flash
floods in Budalangi and Kano plains, says the long rain season is likely to
affect agriculture, hence causing food insecurity.
According to
the weatherman, the Climate Outlook for the March-April-May (MAM) 2019 “Long
Rains” season indicate that most of the country are likely to experience
slightly above average rainfall except for parts of Eastern Kenya and the
Coastal regions. The seasonal rainfall onset is also expected to be timely over
several parts of the country.
“Cases of
flooding in flood-prone areas such as Budalang’i and Kano areas and also
landslides/mudslides in areas such as Murang’a are still probable. The NDOC is,
therefore, advised to be on standby in order to ensure mitigation of any
negative impacts that may arise,” says the weatherman in their weekly updates.
The added that
flash floods are still likely to occur in Western Kenya, Central Rift Valley
and Central Highlands.
However, the
expected prolonged dry spells are likely to result into reduced water levels in
the Seven Forks, Turkwel and Sondu Miriu catchment areas.
In April 2019,
near-normal to above-normal rainfall is expected over most parts of the country
and more so in Western, Central Rift Valley, Northern Kenya (Marsabit, Moyale)
and the Central highlands including Nairobi.
Depressed
rainfall is, however, likely to occur over North Western Kenya.
In May 2019,
most parts of the country are likely to experience depressed rainfall except
the western, central Rift Valley and Central Kenya regions which are likely to
experience slightly enhanced rainfall.
“The expected
late onset and poor distribution of the MAM 2019 seasonal rainfall are likely
to impact negatively on the agricultural sector leading to food insecurity,”
says the statement.
They added that
in Northwestern Kenya and other ASALs where poor rainfall performance is
expected, problems related to water scarcity and lack of pasture for livestock
is expected to increase following the poor rainfall performance observed during
the October-November-December 2018 ‘Short-Rains”
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