Damliner full of harvested water. Farmers can take advantage of the predicted above average November-December short rains to harvest water for food production.

Kenyans have been warned of heavy rains during the November-December short rains which may result into floods, thunder and lightning. However, farmers are advised to take advantage of the rains and improve in their productions.

The distribution of the rainfall in time and space is also expected to be good over most places especially during the peak month of November

According to Kenya Meteorological Department Director Stella Aura, most parts of the country are expected to experience above average rains but urged Kenyans to take advantage of the positive impact of the enhanced well distributed rainfall that is expected over agricultural areas of the country which will be favourable for farming activities.

“Farmers are advised to take advantage of the good rains to maximize on crop production, pasture conditions in the pastoral areas are also expected to improve significantly so pastoralists are also advised to optimize in livestock production in order to benefit fully from the increased pastures,” said Aura.

Vegetation is also expected to increase significantly and people have been urged to plant more trees in order to increase forest cover.

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Senior Meteorologist Stanley Kinyua also encouraged people to harvest the rain water for future use.

He encouraged urban centres to urgently construct storm drainage systems and open up clogged drainages to avoid floodwaters in cities and towns.

Areas likely to receive above normal rainfall include Western, Nyanza, Eastern, Nairobi, North rift, Northern region, Eastern region, Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Central Kenya.

Aura also called upon the Disaster Management Department to be on standby to mitigate any calamity that may arise.

“Following the forecasted enhanced rainfall over most parts of the country, various sectors are expected to experience both negative and positive impacts. Contingency measures should therefore be put in place to avoid some of the probable negative impacts,” she said.

For more information, visit http://www.meteo.go.ke/pdf/seasonal.pdf