The Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) has alerted the public that Uganda could experience heavy rains in the next 10 days which could lead to landslides, flash floods, water logging, contamination of water sources, and destruction of roads and bridges among other infrastructure.
“The first dekad of May 2024 depicts a continuation of wet conditions over most parts of the country with heavy to very heavy rainfall events expected over southwestern (in some of the areas in Kigezi and Greater Bushenyi districts) while in north eastern in the districts of Karamoja subregion and neighboring Acholi subregion. Other areas forecast to receive enhanced rainfall are in the Midwestern subregion in the districts of Masindi, Kiryandongo, Kagadi, and Kabarole) and Elgon highlands,” UNMA announced in a brief statement.
It added: “Heavy rains are expected in parts of Southwestern, Midwestern,Karamoja, Acholi sub-regions in the next 10 days. Potential hazards expected include flash floods, landslides,waterlogging, water sources contamination, destruction of roads, washing away/collapsing of bridges.”
The warning comes in the wake of heavy rains in neighboring Kenya that have left nearly 200 people dead, with the death toll rising rapidly.
The regions where heavy rains are expected include; Southwestern, Midwestern, Acholi, and Karamoja while the districts expected to be affected include; Kisoro, Kabale, Gulu, Adjuman, Kitgum, Pader, Kotido,Kaboong, Abim, Napak, Kapelabyong among others.
Karamoja sub region is one of the regions projected to receive heavy rains.
In a bid to combat suffering that could occur as a result of these rains, the Office of the Prime Minister, on Thursday sent food items worth 151,600kg of maize flour, 75,500kg of beans to the vulnerable people in Karamoja.
The Minister of State for disaster preparedness and refugees, Lilian Aber said the government is on high alert to respond to any disasters that could occur.
“In the event that it happens, the Ministry is prepared to respond. And in an event that the Ministry cannot respond to these issues as one Ministry, the government has got other line Ministries that come onboard to support in case of such events. And even other NGOs like Red Cross, World Food Program that we work together to support,” she said.