UNMA releases rainfall outlook for August, warns of flash floods and malaria

KAMPALA – The Rainfall Outlook for August 2023 indicates that northern region, parts of eastern Uganda, and mid-western Uganda are expected to receive near-normal or slightly enhanced rainfall likely to cause flash floods and increase incidences of malaria.

The rainfall outlook issued by the weather agency, Uganda National Meteorological Authority [UNMA], also indicates some parts of western Uganda and central regions stand to get near-normal or below-normal rainfall during the month under review.

“Overall, there is a high likelihood for near normal…rainfall for the northern region, parts of eastern and mid-western Uganda while below normal rainfall is expected over several parts of western and central regions characterised by on and off rainfall,” says UNMA’s acting executive director Bob Alex Ogwang in the rainfall outlook for the country.

Likely impacts

According to UNMA, a number of likely impacts should be taken note of. For instance, the weather agency says farmers in northern and eastern regions are expected to continue weeding their crops and apply pesticides while farmers in other regions of the country should carry out land preparation for the next season.

The agency further says there is an increased likelihood of strong winds that might put down some crops as the onset of rains picks up towards the end of the month.

Meanwhile, in the pastoral areas, the current rains are expected to further improve foliage and pasture for livestock. “Pasture preservation and management should be encouraged,” UNMA says, urging communities to harvest water for domestic use and small-scale irrigation.

Health officials urged to mitigate likely negative impacts

UNMA in its report urges authorities in urban centres, especially in the northern and eastern regions to work on drainage systems to avoid the expected high chances of flash floods during the coming rainy season of September to December.

In the health sector, UNMA says “There is high risk of malaria incidences due to the on and off rains that are likely to be experienced in August.”

The agency urges health officials to be on the lookout and carry out disease surveillance and equip health units with the necessary drugs.

UNMA further calls on health officials to carry out health education and awareness campaigns on the use of mosquito nets, slashing of bushes around homesteads and schools, disposing of open containers, filling up open pits, and draining stagnant water around homesteads to reduce breeding places for mosquitoes.

Meanwhile, UNMA says during the month of July, most farming communities across the country took advantage of the rain to weed crops while rains resulted in the rejuvenation of pasture and foliage for the livestock.

“In some areas, there was enough sunshine to enable crop harvesting, drying, and land preparation for the next season,” the weather agency says.

The national weather agency says it will further continue to monitor weather systems including El Nino and provide appropriate updates accordingly including the issuance of September, October, November and December 2023 Rainfall Outlook.

https://thecooperator.news/heavy-rains-disrupt-business-in-mbarara/

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