Expect more rains in Kitui County this week, weatherman says

 The weatherman has predicted that Kitui County will remain wet in the next seven days with up to 33 per cent of the County receiving light to moderate rainfall.

 

According to data on the forecast from today to Monday next week released by Kitui County Director of Meteorology, Daniel Mbithi, the rains ranging between 1mm to 20 mm will be experienced in all the eight constituencies (sub counties) in the County.  

“Light to moderate morning rains as well as afternoon and night shower are likely to occur over several places from Tuesday this week to Monday next week” reads the weather forecast report in part. 

“Occasional isolated storms are also likely over few places. Maximum (Day time) temperatures are likely to range from 25⁰C to 30⁰C while minimum (Night time) temperatures are expected to be between 15⁰C and 22⁰C,” added the forecast report.

There is good news in that the expected rainfall is likely to improve the food security in the visited areas as water and pasture will be rejuvenated. 

Water harvesting

 “The rainfall is expected to continue into the third week of the month; hence residents are encouraged to harvest rain and runoffs for consumption,” Mbithi advised in his report.

He said although December marks the end of the short rains season over Kitui, the occasional rainfall expected over several parts of the County is likely to maintain conducive soil moisture to sustain tree growth. 

“The public should therefore take advantage of these conditions to plant trees and to put in place measures to conserve the environment,” the report added.

The report however cautions that in places where isolated storms and flash floods are likely to occur that had the potential to result in loss of lives and property

“The expected occasional rainfall may cause slippery roads in some parts of the County increasing the risk of accidents. Flash floods may cause transport challenges on poorly drained roads and more so in areas where the roads become impassable when it rains,” the report further warned.

 A good part of Tuesday was marked with a fairy good downpour in Kamuwongo Division, Kyuso Sub County.

Child perishes in floods

There were heavy rains in Kyandoo village where Kanzili stream flooded carrying away a PP2 pupil. According to an eye witness, the river was flowing very fast, carrying away the child with it.

The community of the victim tried to rescue the child but all was in vain.

Kyuso police officers arrived at the scene immediately they were notified and took the child’s body to Kyuso mortuary. John Kimanzi Mukuru’s child was a student in Kyandoo primary school.

STORY By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT, EDITED By MUSYOKA NGUI