By Nancy Aol

Adjumani

The populace in Adjumani district has been warned of a looming flooding condition triggered by the Evolution of El Nino condition in the central and eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean which are predicted to continue until the end of the forecast period of September to December 2023.

According to the Uganda National Meteorological Authority, Adjumani will experience above normal (enhanced) rainfall for the month of September to late November 2023 which may result to flooding, disease out breaks like cholera, dysentery, etc., increase in malaria cases, destruction of crops especially in water prone areas, incidences of hail storms, fish intoxication among others.

This report comes at the back drop of the 65^th Climate outlook Forum (COF65) for Greater Horn of Africa that was held in Nairobi from 21^st to 22^nd August 2023, where national, regional and international climate scientists reviewed the prevailing and expected state of global climate systems and their implications on the performance of seasonal rainfall over East Africa.

To mitigate the dangers and losses associated with these implications, implementing partners in collaborations with district stakeholders, are leveling up the ground to be able to mitigate the negative impacts.


Passengers disembarking from a ferry at flooded laropi landing site on Oct. 20 2020
 
Mr Agasi Emanuel the project officer disaster preparedness and Response, working for Community Empowerment for Rural Development (CEFORD) during a scenario planning meeting held on the 12 September 2023 at Adjumani multipurpose Training center with various district stakeholders, noted that they are in high gear to prepare the first line responders who include the various sector heads to ensure mitigation of multi hazards associated with the looming danger.

Mr Vuso Paulino a senior citizen and a member of Adjumani District Elders Forum (ADEFO) prayed that such planning meetings should be extended up to the village levels such that the information is wide spread.

Dr ijjo Didimas urged all livestock farmers to erect proper housing units and vaccinate their animals to avoid escalation of disease that come with such weather patterns, he noted that diseases like Black water, Foot and Mouth disease are more likely to emerge in such conditions.

Residents have been advised to however take advantage of this weather pattern and plant fast maturing crops like rice, yams, sugarcanes and variety of vegetables for example cabbages, dodo, among other leafy vegetables to boost their nutrition. Furthermore, farmers are encouraged to improve on their post-harvest handling by acquiring solar drying equipments to avoid loss of their harvests.

According to recent reports Adjumani district experienced flooding in 2022 that resulted in the displacement of more than 340 households and destruction of over 500 acres of crop fields after river Tete burst its banks.

Most households and crops were flooded in Ogolo North and South in Liri Parish, Elegu Central and Melekwe in Elegu Parish in Arinyapi sub county which disrupted health services to Ogolo Health Center II which serves about 300 people.

COVER PHOTO: Stakeholders in Adjumani during a participatory scenario planning meeting By Nancy Aol