More rains expected in L. Victoria basin

Oct 19, 2008

MORE rains are expected in the Lake Victoria basin and the central region in the coming weeks as the rain-bearing zone shifts southwards, experts have said.

By Charles Ariko

MORE rains are expected in the Lake Victoria basin and the central region in the coming weeks as the rain-bearing zone shifts southwards, experts have said.

Whereas the rains are declining in the northern and eastern regions, the experts said, the central, western and southwestern regions will soon experience an increase in the amount of rainfall.

“The rain bearing Inter Tropical Convergence Zone is expected to shift southwards towards central and southern Uganda. During October, the season is expected to pick up over the Lake Victoria basin and the central region plus the districts of Kasese, Bushenyi and Kabale,” said Stephen Magezi, the commissioner for meteorology.

Areas where rainfall is expected to intensify had since the start of the season received below normal or slightly normal rainfall in September, he said.

Magezi, however, noted that most of the areas in the country received almost above normal rainfall amounts.

He gave the example of Mbarara that experienced wet conditions, with rainfall amounts more than three times its normal average.

Magezi said during September, severe hailstorms and lightning were reported in a number of places in Mubende and Kabarole districts. Heavy rains, he said, were recorded in Arua (66.2mm), Lira (64.4mm) and Soroti (52.1mm).

“In the North and Karamoja region, there was an improvement in terms of rainfall amounts that were recorded. Above normal rainfall amounts were received by Arua, Kotido and Lira. Kitgum and Namalu received rainfall in the near normal range.”

He added that rainfall in the eastern region during September was mainly in the near normal range in most areas.
Areas that fall in the Lake Victoria basin are Kampala, Entebbe, Kalangala, Wakiso, parts of eastern Masaka and south Mpigi districts. The central region includes Mubende, Mpigi, Luweero, Nakasongola, Sembabule, Rakai and western Masaka.

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