By Bisola Adeyemo
Residents in Uganda have been warned to take precautions over the prediction of this year’s rain season which is characterized by severe isolated thunderstorms associated with lightning, hailstorms and flood.
Uganda’s ministry of state of relief, disaster preparedness, and refugees, Esther Anyakun, who gave the warning on Tuesday said the rainy season in the country has been predicted with devastating weather effects as the first main rain season of the year kicks off, which may result into destructive flooding in several districts, landslides in the mountainous areas, and destructive winds leading to ravaging of plantations and houses.
The minister said 48 districts in the northeastern, eastern, western, and southern parts of the country are at high risk of waterlogging, windstorms, and landslides, warning that the widening long crack on the slopes of Mountain Elgon in the eastern part of the country requires attention because it may result into a catastrophic slope failure.
She also said, some parts of the country are already suffering the effect of the 2019/2020 rain seasons which led to internal displacement of people due to flooding and rising water levels of lakes.
Speaking on government efforts to help communities, the minister said the government will carry out assessments and issue advisories to communities in high-risk areas for temporary relocation.
“Priority one in this respect will be to support families in safer areas to provide refuge for relatives/neighbors in the high risk zones,” she said.
“Government will mobilize funds to ensure adequate and essential medicines are stocked in the high risk districts where roads are always being affected to ensure steady flow of medical services,” the minister added.