Public told to brace for upcoming ‘El Nino’ as rains pick up

El-Nino usually occurs in intervals of three to four years, and results from when ocean surface temperatures rise up to above average across the central and east-central Equatorial Pacific Ocean.

Bob Alex Ogwang, the UNMA Ag. Executive Director told the press that these rising ocean temperatures have been recorded, indicating a likelihood of El Nino conditions.

“There is a greater than 90% chance that El Nino conditions will continue through September, October, November, and December,” Ogwang said.

“UNMA will continue to monitor the weather systems and provide appropriate updates accordingly including the issuance of September, October, November, and December 2023 Rainfall Outlook.” 

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and other Global Climate Centres report that El Nino has been evolving since March 2023, and is likely to persist up to early 2024. 

The Equatorial Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) observed at the end of July 2023 indicate that above-average SSTs were experienced across the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. 

Meanwhile, UNMA today gave an update on the August rain forecast, indicating that parts of Eastern and Mid Western Uganda are likely to receive slightly enhanced rainfall while the rest of the country should expect below-normal rainfall. 

As such, the Authority called on Local Authorities, especially in urban centres to work on drainage systems to avoid the expected high chances of flash floods during the coming rainfall season of September to December period. 

“In the Health sector, there is a high risk of malaria incidences due to the on and off rains that are likely to be experienced in August. Health officials are advised to be on the lookout and carry out disease surveillance and equip health units with necessary drugs,” Ogwang said.

Even those in Disaster Management have been called to watch out for flooding in low-lying areas including urban centers with poor drainage systems especially in the north and eastern regions where rains are expected.