The Uganda National Meteorological Authority has forewarned of possible outbreak of malaria and other waterborne diseases endemic in the country such as Cholera.
This follows the torrential rains and the 50 percent chance of an El Niño coming to Uganda in the second half of 2023 which has left meteorologists to paint doomsday scenarios in the country.
Currently the ministry of health has embarked on a free mosquito net campaign and locals have also advised to clear any breeding grounds for mosquitoes such as flood plains along stream and river banks.
Meanwhile the acting UNMA’s executive director Mr Bob Alex Ogwang revealed that there was a slight tendency to above normal rainfall during the forecast period.
He further revealed that most parts of the country grapples with wetter conditions in April.
However the highest amount of rainfall was recorded at Kamenyamigo station in Lwengo district with a total of 512 millimetres.
This was later followed by Entebbe water resources department in Wakiso district with amount of 493.1mm , Kagulu S/C in Buyende district with 459.7 mm, Kituuza CRU station in Mukono district with 411.5mm.
Consequently the lowest amount was registered at Butiaba station in Buliisa district with 29.9mm, Lwampanga station in Nakasongola district mustered just 86.2mm.
Meanwhile rainfall is measured using a rain gauge that typically takes stock of precipitation in millimetres in height collected during a given period.
The May rains have left a trail of destruction in the country with violent winds, floods , mudslides, hailstorms that have claimed lives and destroyed a number of public infrastructure.
A number of incidents have so far been reported in Rukungiri district where flash floods have so far claimed three lives , destroyed crops in the district of Oyam and Bulambuli and displaced a number of residents in Ntoroko, Kasese and Butaleja.
Ms Esther Davinia the junior disaster preparedness and refugee minister while delivering a flash update urged communities staying in floods and landslides prone areas to relocate to safer zones to avoid re occurrence of disasters which have claimed many people.
A number of districts are still grappling with internally displaced persons due to extreme weather events. These include Kampala, Wakiso, Masaka, Apac, Bulisa.
Nearly 50 districts in Uganda from the sub regions of Lango, Teso, Bukedi, Sebei, Kigezi and Bunyoro are at high risk for water logging, wind storms and landslides during the MAM period.
Meanwhile many farmers are expected to be impacted negatively by water logging and the office of the prime minister is preparing itself for a food crisis.
“ …as the ministry of disaster and preparedness in collaboration with the UNMA , we will intensify the dissemination of early warning messages and provide update’s through early warning bulletins, talk shows , social media platforms and press releases that will be issued from time to time,” Ms Anyakun said.
The El Niño outlook meanwhile remains at what UNMA describes as an El Niño watch.”