The Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation has sent a message to Kenyans as the season of short rains starts.
In a statement on Monday, November 11, Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eric Mugaa said the rains have started in some regions.
Mugaa has advised Kenyans to harvest and store the rain waters for use during the dry seasons.
The CS stated that Kenya has a water storage capacity of about 107m3 per capita, but this can be increased through other water harvesting techniques.
“The short rains have begun in some parts of the Country. Let us not watch it all become surface run off and end up in our lakes and the Ocean,” he said.
“Our water storage capacity is about 107m3 per capita. In addition to our dams and other storage infrastructure, we can all contribute to water storage by embracing rain harvesting in our own small ways, such as roof harvesting.”
Additionally, Mugaa said farmers can do small water pans, basins and ditches in their farms.
He also explained how city dwellers can harvest water and also help in controlling floods.
“Nature based solutions to ground water/ aquifer recharge including the use of green spaces in cities as detention and retention basins will help recharge our aquifers and control flooding downstream,” he said.
Irrigation & Food Production
Mugaa said the government plans to use such water for irrigation to increase food production and help reduce incidents of floods.
“The long-term plan is to have adequate water storage to solve our flooding challenges and use the water for irrigation. This will then boost our food security efforts,” he said.
In its update on November 10, the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) said rainfall was expected in Central Highlands, Nairobi, Western Kenya, Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley, South Easter and North Eastern.
Additionally, KMD said isolated heavy rainfall is likely in some areas.
Also Read: Kenya Met Issues Rainfall Forecast for October to December
Kenya Met Short Rains Forecast
KMD released a forecast for October-November-December (OND) 2024 short-rains season.
The Weatherman said the western parts of the country is expected to receive near to slightly above average rainfall during this season.
Central parts of the country and some areas over northeast and southeastern lowlands are likely to receive near to below average rainfall.
Also Read: Weatherman Issues Five-Day Forecast After Friday Rains
The Coastal region, most of the Northeast and most of the Southeastern lowlands are expected to receive below average rainfall.
KMD said the distribution of rainfall is expected to be poor across several parts of the country marked by prolonged dry spells and occasional isolated storms.
Temperatures are expected to be warmer than average across most parts of the country, except in a few areas in the western sector where both maximum and minimum temperatures are anticipated to be near normal.
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