Murang’a residents told to brace for heavy downpour

Friday,

Friday, September 15, 2023

KNA by Purity Mugo

Murang’a County Meteorological Department has alerted residents to brace for the impact of heavy rainfall starting next month.

Speaking to KNA, the County Meteorological Director Mr. Stanley Kinyua said that the rains that were expected to start between the first and second week of October 2023 were going to be heavier than usual and were likely to trigger landslides and floods in different parts of the county.

“In the high ground areas bordering the Aberdare Ranges where the average rainfall normally ranges between 450-500mm, they are expected to receive rainfall that could exceed 700 mm with some areas possibly receiving more than 1000mm,” Kinyua said.

The weatherman noted that although the expected rain was likely to cause destruction to property and infrastructure, it would have some positive outcome such as high productivity of tea in the tea growing area as well as an increase in milk production due to increased availability of fonder.

He however noted that the Livestock Department needs to be on high alert as there may be a surge in waterborne livestock diseases as a result of increased rainfall.

He noted that Ndakaini Dam is currently 87 percent full with a volume of 59.545 cubic meters and although there were a few weeks of dry spell left before the onset of the rains, it could be filled and overflowing after just two weeks of the heavy rains.

Kinyua cautioned residents of the lower areas of the county over the possibility of floods as the rivers were very likely to burst their banks following the high rainfall upstream.

“As the high ground areas are at risk of landslides, the risk of flooding is also very high in the lower areas,” he cautioned.

The director stated that the department was going to put the local disaster management committee on alert as they may be needed to help in cases of disaster occurrence.

“We need to involve the disaster management team and all stakeholders at administrative and even community level such as teachers especially in the flood prone areas as they are the people to ensure the safety of the school going children,” he said.

“We will also need even the county government to be on high alert as they may be required to keep unclogging blocked drainage pipes during the course of the rainy season to avert flooding in urban areas,” he added.

Farmers in the lower area of the county in Kambiti, Maragua and Ithanga were discouraged from planting beans and other legumes as the expected floods could easily sweep them away.

“Those farmers should plant crops that are at least a foot tall in height and have strong roots so that they are not destroyed by the heavy rainfall,” he said.

Kinyua advised all residents to be on high alert and prioritize their safety and wellbeing during these coming months of heavy downpour.

Courtesy; KNA