Residents of Kiambu county should expect average to below average rains for the October to December(OND) 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 informed residents that the forecast indicates there will be intermittent cloudiness with light rains giving way to sunny intervals in the morning and with afternoon and night showers expected in a few places in the county from the 8th to 14th of October 2024.
“We are expecting several areas of the county to receive rainfall this coming week and residents are advised to speed up land preparation for the onset of the upcoming short rainy season,” Gateri said.
The County Met director said that the October-November-December(OND) short rains season in Kiambu will affect most parts of the county with parts of Lari, Limuru and Kikuyu receiving the least amount of rainfall ranging 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 from250-400mm during the season.
“We are expecting to receive a poor to fairly distributed rainfall distribution in the county in both time and space and it is likely to be characterized by occasional storms and prolonged dry spells in the season,” She added.
Some sectors of the economy are likely to experience potential adverse impacts occasioned by the season with Gateri calling for adequate preparations to avoid some of the likely negative impacts of the season.
“Sectors such as the agriculture, livestock and food security sectors should take advantage of conservation agricultural methods, early planting, proper water conservation measures such as drip irrigation,” She said.
Stakeholders in 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 sector are encouraged to trim trees along power lines, buildings to avoid infrastructure damage, for the public, power rationing may also be occasional and individuals are encouraged to seek alternative power backup methods.
“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 sensitization of the public during this time by stocking up on adequate medication and providing preventative methods to the public.” she said.
By Cedric Karungaru
