Murang’a County for the last three days has been experiencing chilly weather, which the meteorological department says will last for less than a week.
Temperatures in some parts of the county have gone as low as less than 10 degrees Celsius with other parts receiving light rains.
The weather has also affected motorists due to poor visibility as some roads, especially those in the upper parts of the county for the better part of the day are covered in a blanket of mist.
Murang’a County Meteorological Director Mr. Paul Murage said the chilly weather is expected to end before next week and advised residents to dress warmly.
Speaking to KNA on Monday in his office, Murage observed that the weather is a result of manifestation of climate change.
In normal circumstances, the month of September is usually perceived to be hot but this year, the temperatures are like those experienced in the months of June and July.
“Due to the manifestation of climate change in this county, we are having some cold days in the month of September. My advice to locals is to dress well to avoid diseases related to cold weather,” said Murage.
He cautioned farmers against planting at this time saying the light rains will last for only a few days then usher in a sunny period.
Murage further noted that the onset of short rains this year will be between 14th and 20th of next month.
He said, the rains will be minimal and farmers should consider growing fast maturing crops like legumes.
“The short rains we are expecting will be lesser in amount. They will range between 200 mm to about 700 mm considering the county ecological zones,” he stated adding that lower parts of the county will receive a maximum of 250mm of rain.
Middle zones of the county is expected to receive rains between 300 and 450 mm and the upper zones bordering Aberdare forests will get rains ranging from 450 to 700 mm.
He said the short rains season will last up to shortly before Christmas holidays and will be poorly distributed. “The season will be marred by consecutive dry days, a factor occasioned by climate change.
“Farmers need to get appropriate information from agricultural officers on the type and variety of seeds to plant considering the amount of rain will be minimal and poorly distributed,” he further said.
In the last rainy season, many parts of the county received more than 1, 000 mm of rain prompting landslides which led to destruction of property.
Source: Kenya News Agency
