The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) in Makueni has issued a warning to the residents that the county may experience El Nino conditions from the month of October to early January short rain season.
In an update on Thursday, Makueni County Metrological Director Jonathan Ngayai said the county is expecting a heavy down pour resulting to El Nino that will cause flooding, landslides and flashfloods in the area.
Consequently, Ngayai warned the residents especially in prone areas to relocate to safe places to avert loss of lives and destruction of property from the rains.
He said that the areas likely to be affected include lowlands parts of Kibwezi that will be affected by floods, while mud landslides will be experienced in parts of Kilungu, Mbooni and Chyulu hills.
“The Elnino rains are expected to start from October to December, I hereby urge all the residents living in prone areas experiencing floods and landslides to relocate to safe places through the guidance of the government,” said Ngayai while speaking to KNA on Thursday at his Wote office.
He however assured the residents the government has put measures and interventions to avert such situations.
“Both governments and stakeholders have put in place adequate measures, and interventions to ensure the safety of citizens and preventing loss of property but residents too need to do their part,” he added.
The official added that the department will continue to give timely updates and warnings of El Nino phenomenon to the residents and all the partners to prepare them for any impact.
“As a department, we will provide residents with updates and early warning information to prepare citizens, governments and partners adequately to handle any negative impact caused by the rains,” noted Ngayai.
He appealed to the residents to take advantage of the rains by planting short-season crops while also harvesting water in farm ponds and storage tanks to be used during the dry periods of early next year.
Further, Ngayai urged the county government to desilt dams and water pans in a bid to ensure they harvest water in the anticipated heavy rains expected to pound the county.
However, he noted that the magnitude of the El Nino will not be as high as that was experienced during 1997-1998 period.
By Patrick Nyakundi
