Normal rains start this month

Mar 10, 2014

Farmers have been advised to take advantage of the expected rains that start this month to prepare fields for planting.According to the rainfall forecast released by the Ministry of Water and Environment, normal rains will start in March.

By John Agaba

Farmers have been advised to take advantage of the expected rains that start this month to prepare fields for planting.


According to the rainfall forecast released by the Ministry of Water and Environment, normal rains will start in March to May and above normal some parts of the country.

Environment state minister, Flavia Munaba, presented the forecast.

The forecast shows that eastern and south eastern Uganda districts of Jinja, Kamuli, Iganga, Bugiri, Luuka, Namutumba, Buyende, Kaliro, Busia and Tororo will have near normal rains, with the rain season expected to peak in April through early May.

The districts of Pallisa, Budaka, Mbale, Sironko, Manafwa, Bududa, Kapchorwa, Kumi, Soroti, Serere, Amolatar, Butaleja, Bulambuli, Kween, Bukwo, Bukedea, and Ngora will experience steady rains late March. These will peak around late April and Early May. Overall, the districts will experience near normal rainfall.

The north eastern region which includes the districts of Katakwi, Moroto, Kotido, Nakapiripirit, Abim, Eastern Otuke, Napak, Amudat, Amuria, and Kaabong, the onset of steady rains is expected early April and relaxation is expected towards end of June.

In the northern districts of Lira, Kitgum, Agago, Western Otuke, Pader, Kole, Dokolo and Kaberamaido, the steady rains are expected late March to early April, peaking around late April to early May.

Also, the rainy season in Gulu, Apac, Lamwo, Nwoya, Amuru, Oyam and Kiryandongo districts will peak around late April, with moderate relaxation expected around June.

In the north western districts of Moyo, Yumbe, Adjumani, Arua, Terego, Zombo, Nebbi, and Koboko, the onset of seasonal rains is expected around late March. These rains are expected to peak around mid-April.

In the western region, the districts of Bundibugyo, Ntoroko, Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Kamwenge, Masindi, Buliisa, Hoima and Kibaale, the rains will peak around late March to early April. The region is expected to receive near normal to more rain than usual.
In the southwestern districts of Kisoro, Kabale, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Ntungamo, Mbarara, Kiruhura, Isingiro, Ibanda, Bushenyi, Buhweju, Mitooma, Sheema, Rubirizi and Kasese, the peak of the steady rains is expected around early April and cessation around late May to early June.

The central and Lake Victoria basin areas of Kalangala, Kampala, Wakiso, Eastern Masaka, Lwengo, Mpigi, Butambala, Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, Gomba, and Mityana, rains will intensify and peak around mid-April. The cessation is expected around late May to early June.

In Nakasongola, Luwero, Kyankwanzi, Nakaseke Kiboga, Mubende, Sembabule, Western Masaka, Lyantonde, and Rakai districts, rains are expected to start around mid to late March. Mukono, Buikwe, Kayunga, and Buvuma districts are currently experiencing occasional outbreaks of light rains. The steady rains are expected to intensify with the peak occurring around mid-April.
Michael Nkalubo, the commissioner for meteorology said that the weather forecast is up to 70 percent accurate. This means that some areas expected to receive normal rains may experience flood situations, while other areas expected to get a lot of rain, may experience poor rainfall distribution.

 

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