The cold weather season has began in the highlands East of the Rift Valley, the Rift Valley and Nairobi County. According to the June, July, August (JJA) parts of the South Eastern lowlands and isolated areas in Marsabit County, are expected to experience cool and cloudy conditions with occasional light rains.
The weatherman is warning that respiratory diseases like asthma, pneumonia, flu, and the common cold are likely to increase in Nairobi County and the Highlands East of the Rift Valley due to the expected cold conditions.
The Director of Meteorological Service Dr. David Gikungu in the forecast is urging the public “to dress warmly and follow the advice of the Ministry of Health,” and advises the public to avoid using charcoal jikos in poorly ventilated houses as they may produce carbon monoxide gas that is lethal when inhaled.
The Weatherman further notes that the areas expected to continue receiving rainfall over the Lake Victoria Basin, the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, North Western regions, an increase in rainfall over the Coastal region and the predicted warmer-than-average temperatures during the season could see a rise in Malaria transmission. Eye infections in the North Eastern region could be experienced due to expected dust storms as a result of the windy and dry conditions are also expected.
Health authorities are being advised to preposition and redistribute medical supplies and insect-treated nets in the affected areas to prevent the spread of malaria.
The season could also see the formation of fog as well as cold cloudy conditions resulting in poor visibility along the Nakuru to Nairobi highway at the Kikuyu to Kinungi stretch. Dr. Gikungu is urging for caution by motorists plying the route and is asking road users to take utmost care to minimize accidents. “Foggy weather is also likely to occasionally cause operational disruption at the Wilson and Jomo Kenyatta International Airports, during the season,” says Dr. Gikungu.
The rainfall forecast indicates that that the Highlands west of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, parts of the Highlands east of the Rift Valley, and the northwestern regions are likely to receive near to above-average rainfall. The Coastal Strip is expected to experience near average rainfall with a tendency toward below-average amounts.
The Weatherman is warning of expected isolated flooding in low-lying areas and flood plains especially over the Lake Victoria Basin and urges relevant authorities to put in place measures to avert possible negative impacts that could arise. “Residents in these areas are advised not to walk or drive through flooded rivers or moving water,” says Dr. Gikungu and adds that, “Cases of lightning strikes are likely over the Lake Victoria Basin and Highlands West of the Rift Valley and the public is advised not to shelter near metallic structures or under trees.”
Landslides may be experienced in Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties owing to the above average rainfall expected during the June, July to August (JJA) season.
