Murang’a receives significant amount of rains in the onset

Murang’a,

Monday, October 16, 2023

KNA by Bernard Munyao

The onset of short rains in Murang’a has been witnessed as many parts of the County on October 15 received significant amounts of rainfall.

According to the County Director of Meteorology, Stanley Kinyua, parts of Kangema Sub County received 18.4 mm of rain.

He said the Ndakaini area in Gatanga Sub County received 16.3 mm of rain, adding that lower parts of the county got less millimeters of the rain.

Kinyua while speaking to KNA noted the rains are expected to continue throughout the week saying most parts of the county will be having rains in the afternoon, night and morning hours.

“The short rains have commenced and as the department of meteorology had earlier focused, Murang’a will receive enhanced rainfall which will have both positive and negative impacts,” he remarked.

Kinyua explained that upper zones of the County which in normal seasons receive rains amounting to about 700 mm, will during this season receive more than 1, 200 mm.

 “Considering hilly and steep terrains in some parts of the County, we fear there could be land and mudslides thus posing danger to people, livestock and property,” he observed.

 He said relevant authorities need to take early precautions to ensure people who live in areas which are prone to landslides are advised appropriately about the impending dangers.

With the rain forecast, Kinyua added, lower parts of the County including Maragua, Kiharu, Kambiti and Ithanga are most likely to experience floods.

“The peak of the enhanced short rains will be in the month of November and we hope measures will be put in place to protect lives and property,” he said.

Speaking elsewhere, Murang’a County Red Cross Coordinator Ms Immaculate Iteba confirmed that her organisation has already mapped areas likely to be affected by the enhanced rains.

Ms .Iteba said parts of Kangema, Mathioya, Kahuro, Kigumo and Gatanga sub counties are likely to be affected by landslides.

“We have records of past landslide incidents in the mentioned sub counties and we have put the locals on alert in case of occurrences of disasters.

Red cross is working with other stakeholders to ensure prompt rescue and prevention of loss of lives if there will be landslides or any other disaster, as we also advise people living in landslide prone areas to move to safer places,” added Iteba.

The enhanced rains, which are said to be good news to both crop and dairy farmers are expected to last till January, 2024.

Courtesy; KNA