The Kenya Meteorological Department on Monday, October 2, dispelled reports stating that the El Nino threat is over.
Reports suggesting that the predicted phenomenon was no longer active, and that Kenya was expected to experience “above average” rains surfaced on Monday.
However, the weatherman in a subsequent statement asserted that El Nino is expected to take place as earlier predicted.
In the statement, the department noted that parts of Kenya are expected to receive above-average rainfall in the upcoming rainy season.
This, the weatherman added, is attributable to the El Nino phenomenon.
“Kindly take note that the El Niño phenomenon remains in effect,” the weather forecast department stated.
“As a result, it is expected that both the month of October and the entire season is likely to receive above-average rainfall, which remains linked to the ongoing El Niño.”
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Met Department head’s take on El Nino
Appearing in an interview on Citizen TV, the Met Department Director David Gikungu reiterated that most parts of Kenya will receive enhanced rainfall and hence urged Kenyans to prepare adequately.
He went on to note that some parts will experience thunderstorms and storms, especially areas with a history of thunderstorms.
According to him, there is a difference between El Nino and enhanced rainfall.
However, the Director noted that the forecast did not establish whether the amount of rainfall expected this year would be more than that received during the historic El Nino in 1999.
In addition, the Director warned that the rains could extend to December and January 2023.
“The story about there being no El Nino and rainfall just being enhanced, I think there is some misinformation somewhere,” Gikungu noted.
Also Read: 5 Booming Businesses During El Nino Season
In his advice to Kenyans, the Director urged Kenyans living in areas flagged for the risk of experiencing floods and landslides to move to higher areas as a precautionary measure.
Since the weatherman announced the anticipated El Nino, government moved to take precautionary measures in preparedness.
The government team led by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua held talks with a multi stakeholders team comprising governors, international partners and cabinet secretaries to devise a response plan.
“We are working around-the-clock to refine and consolidate the response plan to lessen its negative impact in regions expected to be hit hard by the heavy rainfall,” Gachagua noted.
