Weather man advises residents to harvest rain water

Nyeri, Thursday, April 20, 2023

K.N.A By Wangari Mwangi

The meteorological department has advised Nyeri residents to take advantage of the current rains and harvest water for future use.

The county director of meteorological services, John Muiruri, says the county is expected to receive considerable amount of rainfall of above 30 mm this week and urged the residents to ensure that the precious resource does not go to waste.

“We are advising people to put in place amenities such as water tanks and use their roofs to harvest as much rain water as they can. They can actually store this water and use it for domestic purposes or even for irrigation when the rains stop falling,” said Muiruri.

The rainfall amount is expected to range between 450 mm to 600mm during the March-April-May season. The cessation of the rain is expected to begin on the third and fourth week of May for the whole county.

Muiruri has also reassured farmers who intend to plant crops during this rainy season of some harvest. He said that much as the department had predicted below average rainfall this season, the amount would be adequate to sustain fast maturing crops.

“The amount of rainfall that we are continuing to receive will be adequate for farmers who plant fast maturing crops, so there is still time for those who have not yet planted to do so,” he said.

On Tuesday this week, the Kenya Meteorological Department forecasted continued rainfall accompanied by strong winds in 28 counties.

The department also warned of the possibility of flash floods in Embu, Nyeri, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Murang’a, Meru, Kirinyaga, Tharaka Nithi, Nairobi, Narok, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet, Nakuru, Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Mandera, Marsabit, Isiolo, Wajir and Garissa counties and cautioned residents to take precautionary measures to ensure their safety.

According to the alert, the rainfall being experienced over several parts of the country is expected to continue up to Friday, April 21, 2023. The downpour is likely to continue over several parts of the country with a reduced intensity over the coastal region on Thursday and Friday April 21. Strong winds of more than 25knots (12 miles per second) are equally expected over the South Coast and North-western Kenya.

“Residents are advised to avoid driving through, or walking in moving water or open fields and not to shelter under trees and near grilled windows to minimize exposure to lightning strikes. The strong winds may blow off roofs, uproot trees and cause structural damages,” warned the alert.

Courtesy K.N.A