The Minister of State for Water and Environment Hon. Beatrice Angwar has warned the public about the expected heavy rains in the next three and a half months that they should be prepared to encounter many challenges like landslides in the mountainous areas and more potholes in the roads.
Angwar while addressing journalist at Uganda Media Centre on September 1, 2023 said that for the period running between Septembers to December, the country will receive constant heavy rains which is expected to be destructive.
She cautioned the respective Local council Authorities to clear up the drainage systems so avoid to prevent over flooding of their areas. She also warned people especially in villages to avoid taking shelters under trees when it’s raining because they risk losing their lives when thunderstorm occurs.
“ We expect El Nino weather phenomenon and it will be very destructive, therefore we warn the community to get prepared in time, the respective local leaders should sensitize their masses to use rubber footwear and avoid contact with metallic objects because these attract lightening. Institutions such as schools and health centre should also buy and install lighting conductors on their premises.’’ Hon Angwar (Maama Mabira) advised.
Maama Mabira as she is commonly referred to also advised the rural community to start planting the different crops such that they can be able to grow enough food for their house hold consumption as well as for market.
The Director of Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) Festus Luboyera in his press release indicated that we should expect above normal rainfall in over several parts of the country, more especially in the Lake Victoria Basin and hilly areas of Rwenzori and Eastern region.
Mr. Luboyera indicated that specifically the districts of western Central(Nakasongola,Luweero, Kiboga, Kyankwazi, Nakaseke, Kassanda, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Mubende and Rakai) will receive normal up to above normal rainfall while, the Eastern parts of Lake Victoria Basin which comprises of Mukono, Buikwe, Kayunga and Buvuma districts will exprience near normal to above normal rain conditions.
The Eastern part of the country will also experience near normal (average), with a tendency to above normal rainfall. Other parts of the country will also receive similar phenomenon. The total rainfall in these areas is expected to be above 125% of the long –term.
The Director of UNMA also warned of disaster likely to be occurring during this period. For instance, episodic flash floods in some areas leading to loss of lives and destruction of property. While other disasters may arise from possible landslides, especially in mountainous areas of Western and South-Western, such as Bundibugyo, Kasese, Rubanda and Kisoro as well as in Eastern parts of the country like Bududa, Mbale, Bulambuli.
He advised that the local people should construct flood proof houses, identify any cracks in mountainous areas to the authorities, government should also relocate people from landslide prone areas to safer locations and teachers ought to ensure that school children do not play in open grounds or take any shelter under trees during light drizzles that precede thunderstorms.
By George Bukenya