Country to experience more rain till December, says weatherman

The Meteorological Department has cautioned that flash floods might occur in some parts of coastal, north and south eastern, central and western regions, which might render some roads slippery thus impassable. [Photo: File/Standard]

Kenyans have been advised to prepare for more downpour during the October-December rainy season.

According to projections by the Meteorological Department, there might be heavy rains in Nairobi, Trans Nzoia, Pokot, Narok, Bomet and Central in the next five days. The weatherman said Trans Nzoia and Pokot would especially experience heavy downpour in the next two days.

There is a likelihood of occasional short-lived intense rainfall especially in November, said the department.

"This is as a result of the expected evolution of global sea surface temperatures favourable to the development of a weak El Nino during the season," read part of the seasonal forecast report.

Allay fears

The weatherman cautioned that flash floods might occur in some parts of coastal, north and south eastern, central and western regions which might render some roads slippery thus impassable. And the coastal zone, Garissa and Wajir are also likely to observe an increase in cloud cover with some light to moderate rainfall in the next three days.

According to the report, lightning strikes are also expected to occur especially in Kisii, Nyamira, Kisumu, Kakamega and Bungoma counties.

The report allayed fears of food insecurity as the breadbaskets are expected to experience enhanced rains.

"Generally enhanced rainfall is expected over most agricultural areas of the country. It is also expected that the rainfall will be well distributed. Food security is expected to improve especially in the eastern section of Kenya during the October-December period," read part of the report.

The rains are expected to raise levels of water in Tana and Athi rivers, leading to adequate capacity for hydroelectric power generation in the Seven Forks and other dams, added the report.

Western and Nyanza counties; parts of Rift Valley (Kericho, Nandi, Bomet, Uasin Gishu, Laikipia, Trans Nzoia); Coast (Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River, Lamu ); Nairobi, Central (Kiambu, Nyeri, Murang'a, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga); some counties in eastern (Machakos, much of Kitui, Meru, Embu, eastern parts of Samburu, Isiolo and eastern parts of Marsabit) and north eastern (Mandera, Garissa, Wajir) are expected to receive near normal rainfall with a tendency to be above normal or slightly enhanced.

While several counties in Rift Valley (Nakuru, Narok, Kajiado, Turkana, Baringo); some areas of eastern (Makueni, southern parts of Kitui, western parts of Marsabit); and Taita Taveta at the Coast are expected to receive near normal rainfall with a tendency to below normal.

Foliage and pasture conditions in the pastoral areas of northern and north western are expected to deteriorate as a result of the expected poor rainfall performance during the season.

Pastoralists have therefore been called upon to seek advice from the livestock sector to avert any loss of their animals.

The department has called on the Health ministry to enhance surveillance of highland malaria in regions expected to receive above-normal rainfall as well as the possible rise in diseases associated with poor sanitation such as typhoid and cholera.

Meanwhile, the department said the heavy rains that poured on Friday in Nairobi was the highest 24-hour downpour for the month of October since 1957.