Weather experts in Uganda warn of more heavy rains, floods in March till May
The Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) has warned of heavy rains, floods in the country right this month until the end of May this year.
Heavy rains, floods in Uganda
Weather forecast department expert says the expected rains may cause floods in the areas surrounding the water bodies including Karamoja areas which are usually dry.
“The rains have already started, and as the season is getting established, while South Western Uganda the rainfall season got established towards the end of February,” Kalema said.
Tweet
Kalema says areas of Karamoja, North Kabaale, Mbarara, Kisoro, Kasese and areas surrounding Lake Victoria are expected to receive mostly torrential rains during this prolonged rainy season.
“We expect enhanced rainfall that’s above the normal rains around March, April and May seasonal rains, in the parts of the North Eastern and South Western Uganda, while the rest of the country expect to have normal rains with a slight tendency of above normal to be enhanced,” Kal
Tweet
However, Kalema urged urban centres authorities at district levels to do the needful before the rains emerge to avoid loss of lives and properties that may result.
“We expect the concerned authorities at different levels like at district levels to work upon silting those water channels, rivers to ensure that wherever we have those downpours, water just flows throughout.”
Tweet
Relatedly, Commissioner Disaster Preparedness OPM, Martin Owor says different measures are already in place to mitigate any potential adverse effects of the expected rains.
“Two weeks ago, we removed 800 and 25 people and we took them to Bulambuli,” Owor said.
Tweet
However, Owor says it’s a huge task requiring enormous resources to shift all families from these disaster-prone areas. And as a result, he appealed to every affected family to voluntarily shift to safer areas.
Owor adds that he believes this year there will be fewer damages due to the established plans.
“These people will have to receive this food, the one going to host, the head of the family we give him 100kg maize flour, 100kg rice and 100kg of beans. He is hosting or she’s hosting another family that’s at risk on a safe location.”
Tweet
Bududa District last year from September towards the end of the December suffered heavy rainfall that resulted into landslides turning hills and roads impassable also destroying crop fields and properties in the process.
Mudslides are one of the effects of excessive rainfalls and disease outbreaks and famine usually follow up in the process, and as we head over to another set of rains, health officials warn against potential disease outbreak.
“This weather comes with respiratory infections, Asthmas, diarrhoea diseases. So we have to ensure that we are prepared,” Emanuel Ainebyona, spokesperson Ministry of Health warned.
Tweet
