Category: Weather

KENYA, Nairobi (Agency Report) — Kericho County and other parts of western Kenya are expected to experience above-normal rainfall from September as the country prepares for the anticipated El Niño phenomenon.

The Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Engr. Festus Ng’eno, disclosed this during the 49th Graduation Ceremony of the Kenya Forestry College in Londiani, Kericho County.

Ng’eno said the latest national climate outlook released by the Kenya Meteorological Service indicated strong signs of an El Niño event, with enhanced rainfall expected during the October-to-December rainy season and continuing into January in some parts of the country.

He urged residents in areas expected to experience heavy rainfall to take necessary precautions against possible flooding and landslides.

According to him, residents should avoid flooded roads, bridges and rivers, stay away from areas prone to landslides and move to safer locations where necessary.

Ng’eno also identified climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution as major environmental challenges facing Kenya, noting that land degradation, depleted forest areas and poor farming practices continue to contribute to environmental degradation.

He said the Presidential initiative to grow 15 billion trees by 2032 remained critical to mitigating the effects of climate change, restoring degraded landscapes and strengthening the country’s environmental resilience.

Meanwhile, the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Forestry, Mr. Mugambi Gitonga, said Kericho County currently has a forest cover of 23.2 per cent and called for increased efforts in tree growing to enable the county to meet its targets and contribute significantly to the national 15 billion trees programme.

Gitonga said Kericho has an annual target of planting 16.3 million trees but has planted only 17.1 million trees since the national tree-growing initiative began in 2022.

“Kericho is behind schedule, having planted 17.1 million trees against more than 48 million trees that should have been planted by now,” he said.

He called on government agencies, communities, institutions and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to bridge the gap, meet the county’s annual target and support the national goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.

The Forestry Principal Secretary said the national tree-growing initiative would contribute to biodiversity conservation, sustainable energy, livelihoods, tourism and rural development while strengthening Kenya’s response to climate change.

He also urged the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) to strengthen collaboration in research and innovation to support the successful implementation of the national tree-growing programme.

The Chief Conservator of Forests, Alex Lemarkoko, said trained forestry professionals have a critical role to play in forest restoration, tree growing and environmental protection as Kenya works towards achieving its environmental conservation targets.

He urged the graduates to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their training to promote sustainable forest management, environmental protection and climate resilience.

A total of 381 graduates, comprising 174 males and 207 females, were awarded certificates after successfully completing their training.

The graduation also highlighted the increasing participation of women in forestry education, with female enrolment and graduation rising steadily since 2022.

The ceremony was attended by the Kipkelion East Member of Parliament, Hon. Joseph Cherorot; the Principal of the Kenya Forestry College, Mr. Francis Musyimi; government officials, forestry and environmental stakeholders, college staff, parents, graduates and other invited guests.

ACCRA, Ghana (Agency Report) — At least 17 people have died while nearly 39,000 others have been affected by devastating floods triggered by Monday’s heavy rainfall across Ghana’s Greater Accra Region, the government has said.

Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, disclosed the figures while briefing Parliament on Tuesday, saying the floods displaced 7,761 households across 29 affected communities within 18 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

The minister said the disaster submerged homes, damaged roads and public infrastructure, displaced thousands of families and disrupted economic and social activities across the capital region.

“Within the Greater Accra Region, we recorded a total of 7,761 displaced households, affecting 38,802 people. Seventeen people have lost their lives, while several others remain unaccounted for,” Muntaka told lawmakers.

Ga East was among the worst-hit districts, recording 8,202 displaced residents from 881 households. The area also accounted for six missing persons and four confirmed deaths.

Other severely affected areas include Kwabenya, where 4,800 people from 1,000 households were displaced; Tema Metropolitan, which recorded 3,847 displaced persons from 771 households; Tema West, with 3,040 displaced residents from 650 households; and Weija Gbawe, where 2,817 people from 480 households were forced from their homes.

Across Central, East and West Accra, authorities recorded 3,025 displaced persons from 605 households, while Dade Kotopon reported 2,700 displaced residents from 510 households. Ga South also recorded 1,800 displaced persons from 375 households.

The minister said emergency responders, led by the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), remain on the ground coordinating rescue operations, relief distribution and recovery efforts for affected communities.

He said further assessments were ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage and provide additional assistance to displaced families.

Monday’s torrential rainfall inundated residential communities, swept away vehicles, temporarily cut off major roads and forced thousands of residents to seek temporary shelter.

Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid flood-prone areas and comply with safety directives as recovery operations continue across the Greater Accra Region.

ACCRA, Ghana (NPA) — The Government of Ghana has intensified its emergency response to widespread flooding that has affected Accra, Tema and surrounding communities following days of heavy rainfall, while urging residents to cooperate with authorities and observe flood safety measures.

Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, announced the measures on Monday after accompanying President John Dramani Mahama and members of the Anti-Flood Task Force on an assessment tour of flood-affected communities.

According to the minister, the inspection enabled the government to evaluate the causes of the flooding and assess immediate and long-term remedial measures.

“Since June 27, Accra, Tema and surrounding areas have experienced sustained heavy rains, leading to widespread flooding that has affected homes, businesses and public infrastructure, particularly in low-lying areas, while disrupting economic and social activities,” Adjei said.

He expressed the government’s sympathy to families, businesses and communities affected by the disaster, assuring victims that relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts were already underway.

“We fully appreciate the pain, disruption and economic hardship these events have imposed on households, traders, transport operators and businesses. Government remains fully committed to supporting relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts,” he said.

The minister attributed the recurring flooding to a combination of increasingly extreme weather patterns, rapid urbanisation and mounting pressure on drainage infrastructure.

He also blamed human activities, including encroachment on waterways, indiscriminate disposal of waste and widespread violations of planning regulations, for worsening the impact of heavy rainfall.

“The impact of human activities, particularly encroachment on waterways, indiscriminate waste disposal and non-compliance with planning regulations, cannot be overstated,” he said.

Adjei stressed that addressing Ghana’s flood challenges requires a collective effort involving government agencies, local authorities, traditional leaders, businesses and residents.

He said the Ministry, through the Ghana Hydrological Authority, was working closely with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), security agencies and other stakeholders to manage the emergency.

According to him, ongoing interventions include the deployment of emergency response teams, evacuation support for affected residents, distribution of relief materials, assessment of damaged infrastructure and intensified clearing of drainage systems in flood-prone areas.

The minister disclosed that authorities had also intensified enforcement operations against illegal structures obstructing drainage channels, wetlands and natural waterways.

He said the government would sustain efforts to demolish structures impeding water flow while protecting critical drainage systems across the capital.

In addition, Adjei announced plans for extensive desilting and excavation of major drains and waterways clogged by silt and debris following the recent rains.

He said new drainage channels would also be constructed along natural water pathways to improve stormwater discharge and reduce future flooding.

The minister added that the government was advancing broader flood mitigation measures, including the rehabilitation and expansion of drainage infrastructure, stricter enforcement of development controls in flood-prone areas, improved early warning systems and the restoration of wetlands and lagoons.

He urged residents, particularly those living near rivers, lagoons, drains and other low-lying communities, to prioritise their safety by relocating to higher ground when necessary and avoiding movement through floodwaters.

Residents were also advised to keep children away from flooded areas to prevent accidents and reduce the risk of waterborne diseases.

Adjei appealed to the public to support government efforts by refraining from dumping refuse into drains, avoiding construction on waterways and complying fully with environmental and planning regulations.

“Together, through collective responsibility, discipline and adherence to safety measures, we can significantly reduce the effects of flooding, safeguard lives and livelihoods, and build safer, more resilient communities for present and future generations,” he said.

ACCRA, Ghana (NPA) — The Ghanaian government has urged residents to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel following heavy rains that triggered flooding in several parts of the country on Monday.

In a public safety advisory issued by the Ministry of the Interior, the government said the precautionary measures were necessary to protect lives and property as emergency agencies respond to the flooding.

The ministry advised residents who were safely at home to remain indoors until conditions improve, while those at workplaces or other secure locations were urged to stay where they are until it is safe to travel.

It also warned against unnecessary movement, saying floodwaters could rise rapidly and pose significant risks.

“Motorists and pedestrians are strongly advised not to attempt to drive or walk through flooded roads, bridges or waterways, as floodwaters can rise rapidly and pose significant danger to life and property,” the ministry said.

The government announced that the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Armed Forces, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other emergency response agencies had been deployed to monitor the situation, manage traffic, conduct rescue operations and assist affected communities.

Residents living in flood-prone areas were advised to relocate to higher ground where it is safe to do so and promptly report emergencies or persons in distress to the nearest security agency or emergency response service.

The ministry urged the public to remain calm, cooperate with security and emergency personnel, and rely only on official sources for information and updates on the evolving situation.

It also appealed to members of the public requiring emergency assistance to contact the appropriate emergency services through designated telephone lines.

The Ministry of the Interior assured citizens that public safety remains the government’s highest priority and said authorities would continue to monitor the situation closely while providing further updates as necessary.

It expressed concern for those affected by the flooding and assured residents that every effort was being made to provide the necessary assistance and safeguard lives and property.