Most parts of Murang’a County are likely to receive below average rainfall amounts during the expected long rains.
The County Director of Meteorological Services, Mr. Paul Murage, observed that the onset of the rains will be delayed by a week, saying upper zones of the County rains may start receiving rains from March 22.
In normal times, the onset of the long rainfall season in the County is between March 15 and 20.
He noted in lower parts of the County, including areas of Murang’a South, Gatanga and Ithanga Sub-counties, the rains are likely to commence in the first week of April.
Murage stated the rains will be poorly distributed both in time and space. ‘Due to climate change, there is a significant effect on seasonal rainfall totals with noticeable fluctuations. The amounts of the rainfall will vary between 320 mm to 600mm,’ he added.
The Director noted tea growing zones are likely to receive above 600 mm of rains, saying the amount is far below the normal rains, where the areas receive above 1,000mm of rains.
During the last short rains season, the County also received depressed rains, thus affecting maturity of crops such as maize.
Murage said the forecast can guide various sectors which mostly depend on rains like agriculture.
‘Farmers can seek advice from agricultural officers on the time of crops to plant considering the amounts of rains expected. Some crops like maize may fail to properly mature with 320mm amounts of rain,’ he stated.
The Director said the rainfall during the month of April will be intense on some days, but cautioned that there will be intervals of dry days.
‘I urge locals to harvest rain water for future use, they can also take advantage of the rains and plant trees as a way to mitigate adverse climate change,’ he added.
Source: Kenya News Agency