Residents of Kiambu County will expect average to below average rains for the October to December (OND) short rains season starting the 3rd to 4th week of October 2024 with poor to fair rainfall distribution according to the County Meteorological Services.
The County Director for Meteorological Services, Magdalene Gateri, said that the October-November-December (OND) short rains season in Kiambu would affect most parts of the county, with parts of Lari, Limuru, and Kikuyu receiving the least amount of rainfall from 0-250mm and areas such as parts of Juja and Ruiru, Kiambu, Kabete, Githunguri, Gatundu North and South, and Thika Town receiving average to below average levels of rainfall ranging from 250-400mm during the season.
“We are expecting to receive a poor to fair rainfall distribution in the county in both time and space, and it is likely to be characterised by occasional storms and prolonged dry spells within the season,” she added.
Gateri said the previous March-April-May (MAM) 2024 rainfall corresponded to predictions with the long rains season starting on time with distribution being good over several parts of the county.
The March-April-May (MAM) led to positive impacts in the agricultural, food security, and livestock sectors, as well as the environmental sector, and negative impacts in disaster management with floods and landslides being recorded, destroying crops and properties.
Some sectors of the economy are to experience potential impacts incurred by the October-November-December (OND) season, with Gateri calling for adequate preparations to avoid some of the likely negative impacts of the season.
“Sectors such as agriculture and livestock should take advantage of conservation agricultural methods, early planting, and proper water conservation measures such as drip irrigation,” she said.
The water, irrigation, and resource management sectors are encouraged to inform residents living upstream of water sources to enhance soil conservation measures to reduce dilation of water resources and enhance their water harvesting methods for domestic and irrigation purposes, as well as promoting water conservation measures such as reusing and recycling.
The energy and disaster management sectors are encouraged to trim trees along power lines and buildings to avoid infrastructure damage. The department also calls for temporary closure of activities carried out close to water sources.
“We are also encouraging the health sector to be vigilant during this time as there will be increased reports of waterborne diseases, as well as increased cases of malaria, and therefore should be supported in their sensitisation of the public during this time by stocking up on adequate medication and providing preventative methods to the public,” she warned.
The seasonal rainfall is expected to come to an end by the 1st to second week of December 2024, starting 8th to 15th December 2024, with occasional rains towards the end of December.
By Cedric Karungaru
