By Denis Turyahebwa
Ugandans should brace themselves for one of the heaviest rainfalls this season, International scientists have said.
According to Minister for Water and environment Hon. Dr. Kitutu Mary Gorret, while addressing the press on Wednesday warned farmers across the country to prepare for heavy anticipated rainfalls from September to December.
Dr Kitutu said international climate Scientists during the 50th Climate Outlook Forum for the greater Horn of Africa that was held in Kigali, Rwanda last month observed that the slight warming phase of Indian Dipole in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean approximately 50% chance of El Nino will cause floods in different parts of Uganda and also affecting crops that cannot bear with heavy rainfall.
She said basing on the influence of Uganda’s circulation pattern, topography features and large inland water bodies, most parts of the country will be affected.
‘’Apart from Mbarara, Isingiro and Karamoja whose nature is dry, the rest of the regions are expected to experience too much rainfall that will force even relocation of some people especially in Bududa where land cannot hold too much water and other mountainous areas’’. Hon Kitutu confirmed.
She however advised Farmers in areas expected to receive normal to above normal rainfall to plant both long and short maturing crops like rice, millet, sorghum, maize, cassava among others, carry out soil and water conservation practices like digging trenches, mulching to mention a few and avoid planting crops in flood and landslide prone zones.
Meanwhile Hon Kitutu warned the health sector to prepare for floods related diseases like Bilharzia, malaria due to water stagnation and livestock diseases and vectors are expected to increase and called for improve sanitation and also increase surveillance of these diseases.
