Dry spell to start soon
Dec 24, 2010
THE disaster preparedness ministry has warned of an early onset of a dry spell, and appealed to the public to use food sparingly during the festive season.
By Taddeo Bwambale
THE disaster preparedness ministry has warned of an early onset of a dry spell, and appealed to the public to use food sparingly during the festive season.
Speaking at a press briefing at the media centre yesterday, disaster preparedness minister, Tarsis Kabwegyere urged the public to stock more food for use during the dry season.
“The seasonal rainfall for September to December is expected to end early, around late November to mid December in several parts of the country,†Kabwegyere said.
“The normally dry season of January to February is expected to be longer and drier than normal. It is expected that sunny and dry conditions characterized by higher than normal daytime temperatures will occur over the entire period between December 2010 and January next year.â€
The minister said the latest information from the meteorological department indicates that Uganda will experience extreme weather conditions including drought, floods, hot and cold spells, as a result of El Nino and La Nina climate conditions.
He also said that the rainfall during the first season of March to May next year is expected to be below normal.
The areas likely to be most affected are those in the cattle corridor running from Mbarara to Karamoja. The conditions are likely to lead to mass migration of people and animals, lack of water, energy, food, Kabwegyere said.
He also warned of potential outbreaks including meningitis and respiratory diseases, adding that health units have been advised to be alert. He also urged pastoral communities to harvest water and use it sparingly.
The secretary general of the Uganda Red Cross Society, Michael Nataka said the organisation had put in place a team of 585 staff and volunteers across the country to deal with emergencies during the festive season.
He said four fully-equipped ambulances were on standby, adding that one would be stationed at Jinja Road, which has the highest number of accidents.
Nataka also said the Red Cross had stocked emergency health kits for 7,000 households and ensure sufficient stock of blood during the season.
He also revealed that the organisation had set up a task force and stock for emergencies that may occur in Uganda or southern Sudan, ahead of next year’s referendum.
The commissioner for traffic and road safety, Basil Mugisha urged travelers to plan their journeys and desist from driving at night.
“The chances of causing accidents are high at night because vision is impaired. Those intending to travel should set off early,†he said.
He warned that those caught driving under the influence of alcohol and those who drive beyond the recommended speed limits would be arrested.
THE disaster preparedness ministry has warned of an early onset of a dry spell, and appealed to the public to use food sparingly during the festive season.
Speaking at a press briefing at the media centre yesterday, disaster preparedness minister, Tarsis Kabwegyere urged the public to stock more food for use during the dry season.
“The seasonal rainfall for September to December is expected to end early, around late November to mid December in several parts of the country,†Kabwegyere said.
“The normally dry season of January to February is expected to be longer and drier than normal. It is expected that sunny and dry conditions characterized by higher than normal daytime temperatures will occur over the entire period between December 2010 and January next year.â€
The minister said the latest information from the meteorological department indicates that Uganda will experience extreme weather conditions including drought, floods, hot and cold spells, as a result of El Nino and La Nina climate conditions.
He also said that the rainfall during the first season of March to May next year is expected to be below normal.
The areas likely to be most affected are those in the cattle corridor running from Mbarara to Karamoja. The conditions are likely to lead to mass migration of people and animals, lack of water, energy, food, Kabwegyere said.
He also warned of potential outbreaks including meningitis and respiratory diseases, adding that health units have been advised to be alert. He also urged pastoral communities to harvest water and use it sparingly.
The secretary general of the Uganda Red Cross Society, Michael Nataka said the organisation had put in place a team of 585 staff and volunteers across the country to deal with emergencies during the festive season.
He said four fully-equipped ambulances were on standby, adding that one would be stationed at Jinja Road, which has the highest number of accidents.
Nataka also said the Red Cross had stocked emergency health kits for 7,000 households and ensure sufficient stock of blood during the season.
He also revealed that the organisation had set up a task force and stock for emergencies that may occur in Uganda or southern Sudan, ahead of next year’s referendum.
The commissioner for traffic and road safety, Basil Mugisha urged travelers to plan their journeys and desist from driving at night.
“The chances of causing accidents are high at night because vision is impaired. Those intending to travel should set off early,†he said.
He warned that those caught driving under the influence of alcohol and those who drive beyond the recommended speed limits would be arrested.