KAMPALA — A ‘danger to life’ weather warning for heavy rains and floods is expected as Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) warns of tough times ahead.
UNMA has issued a warning for heavy rainfall over the coming season, with flooding possible across over eight agricultural zones throughout Uganda.
The forecast says the onset of the second season has already begun in most parts of the country with those predicted to receive above-normal rainfall exceeding the average amount received over the last 30 years.
The forecast cautions locals to expect heavy rainfall which is likely to cause flooding of a few homes and businesses as well as agricultural zones.
Some of the regions expected to receive above-normal rainfall include; the Lake Victoria basin and the Central region (Nakasongola, Luweero, Kyankwanzi, Nakaseke, Kiboga, Mubende, Kasanda, Sembabule, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Kyotera and Rakai and the Eastern part of Central Uganda (Mukono, Buikwe, Kayunga and Buvuma).
The central and Western Lake Victoria basin (Kalangala, Kampala, Wakiso, Masaka, Mpigi, Butambala, Kalungu, Bukomasimbi, Gomba and Mityana) is also expected to receive above-normal rainfall.
In Northern Uganda, a section of farmers are already crying foul over the destruction of their crops triggered by prolonged off-season rainfall which fused the first and the second seasons.
In Northern Uganda, three ecological zones North Western, Eastern Northern part and the Central Northern part are expected to experience above-normal rainfall.
Festus Luboyera, the Executive Director of UNMA urges farmers to start early field preparations for early planting.
He says they should plant long maturing crops like millet, rice, sorghum, Maize, Cassava and Sweet potatoes at the start of the rainfall season in September.
“Carry out soil and water conservation practices such as digging trenches, and mulching. Farmers should enhance surveillance of the field for pests and diseases while livestock farmers should move their livestock to higher grounds to prevent food rot and pneumonia diseases,” said Mr. Luboyera.
