Soipan Urge Kenyans To Stay Updated, Informed And Warned About The Floods.
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Soipan Urge Kenyans To Stay Updated, Informed And Warned About The Floods
Enviroment CS Hon. Soipan Tuya says Kenya is experiencing one of the worst flooding episodes in recent years.
The current unfortunate turn of events can be traced back to the October to December 2023 short rains rainfall that uncharacteristically continued into the months of January and February this year.
The elongated wet season ran into the current March- April- May long rain season increasing the risk of flooding.
Soipan Urge Kenyans To Stay Updated, Informed And Warned About The Floods.
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Weather and climate variability and extremes have increased in recent years due to climate change. As you may recall, the current floods are happening just months after the recent long drought, the worst in our history in over 40 years. It is therefore necessary that as a Country, we invest in early warning systems that prepare our people; days, weeks and months ahead of extreme weather events such as the heavy rainfall we are experiencing across the Country. With such forecasts, we will be able to mitigate the adverse impacts of the cyclic extreme weather conditions that are becoming severe by the day.
“As a Ministry, we are investing substantially in the strengthening the early warning capabilities of the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) through acquisition of ultra-modern equipment and climate information systems. As you may also know, we are working on a new legislative framework that will see KMD become a semi-autonomous Government entity as a measure of enhancing its operational efficiency. All these efforts are out Government’s recognition of the increasing importance of early warning systems not just disaster management but in national development” Says Soipan
The CS has lauded KMD saying “The Kenya Meteorological Department is providing accurate and timely weather and climate information as evidenced in this season. The uptake of this information has also significantly increased in all sectors of the economy. As Ministry, we will therefore continue to enhance Government support to KMD to ensure that it becomes more effective and efficient going forward”
Soipan Urge Kenyans To Stay Updated, Informed And Warned About The Floods
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It is also critical to emphasize the need for increased involvement of Kenya Meteorological Department and uptake of its reports in multi-agency Government and private sector efforts to address our country’s vulnerability to climate disasters. Such involvement will ensure that decisions and interventions are effective.
Soipan Urge Kenyans To Stay Updated, Informed And Warned About The Floods
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The CS has also offered her heartfelt condolences and those of the entire Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry to the families, friends and relatives of fellow Kenyans that lost their lives to flash floods across the Country.
“As a Ministry, we pray for God’s comfort as you mourn your beloved kin at this difficult moment of bereavement. To the many Kenyans that have been injured by the flash floods and are nursing injuries either at home or in various hospitals, we wish you all a quick and full recovery. At the same time, we regret the massive loss of personal property and public infrastructure across the country and support ongoing restoration efforts by Government and other stakeholders.”
Soipan Urge Kenyans To Stay Updated, Informed And Warned About The Floods
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She has appealed to Kenyans to heed Government calls to avoid situations that endanger lives and livelihoods as we continue to experience heavy rainfall across the Country.
