El Niño Conditions Declared, Kenya Braces for Heavy Rains

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has declared the onset of El Niño conditions, a climate pattern that brings warmer water to the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. This is the first time El Niño conditions have been declared in seven years.

El Niño is typically associated with increased rainfall in Kenya, and the WMO is warning that the country could see heavy rains beginning in September or October. The rains could cause flooding and landslides, and could also lead to the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

The WMO is urging Kenya to take steps to prepare for the potential impacts of El Niño. These steps include:

• Monitoring water levels and weather conditions
• Preparing evacuation plans for areas that are at risk of flooding
• Distributing mosquito nets and other supplies to prevent the spread of disease

The WMO is also calling on other countries to be prepared for the potential impacts of El Niño. These impacts could include:

• Increased risk of drought and wildfires
• More extreme weather events, such as heat waves and tropical cyclones
• Food shortages and price increases

The WMO is urging countries to take steps to reduce their vulnerability to the impacts of El Niño. These steps include:

• Investing in early warning systems
• Adapting infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events
• Increasing disaster preparedness and response capabilities

El Niño is a natural climate pattern, but it is being made more extreme by climate change. This means that the impacts of El Niño are likely to be more severe in the future. Countries need to take steps to prepare for these impacts now.