Kenya forecasts heavy rains from October

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya is likely to receive much-needed heavy rain over the wet season starting October, which will quench its parched farm lands and replenish hydroelectric dams, meteorologists predict.

Over 10 million Kenyans are facing famine due to at least four consecutive seasons of failed rains that have also affected output from tea and coffee farms, important foreign exchange earners for east Africa's biggest economy.

"The expected enhanced seasonal rains are driven by the presence of an evolving El Nino," the Kenya Meteorological Department said in a statement on its website.

"Heavy storms are likely to occur during the season, and more so, during the rainfall peak month of November. However, the levels of enhancement are not likely to reach those that were recorded in 1997/98 period."

El Nino is a phenomenon in which changing sea temperatures in the Pacific Ocean affect weather around the world by bringing drought to some places, heavy storms or harsh winters to others.

The phenomenon caused Kenya to received abnormally heavy rainfall in 1997/98.

The current Pacific build-up looks like a mild version of El Nino, which has in the past brought devastation around the globe, according to the United Nations weather agency.

Kenyan meteorologists predict flooding and landslides are likely to occur in parts of western and Central provinces.

The onset of the 'short rains' is expected in the first week of October over some parts of the country and may run through to January for most.

Kenya has not had adequate rainfall since 2007, which has caused the water level in its dams to fall below desirable levels and forced the country into a water and power rationing programme.

The main electricity producer has closed one plant to free up water for a second station downstream. It has also had to contract a British firm to generate electricity by burning fossil fuels.

But the expected rains will be adequate to replenish the dams, the meteorological department said.

"The main catchment areas for the country's hydroelectric power generating dams are thus expected to receive adequate rainfall that is expected to recharge the major rivers," the statement said.

"It is, therefore, expected that the hydroelectric power generation in the Seven Folks dams will improve significantly."

Source: Reuters, August 27, 2009