Met issues advisory over rising temperatures

The Meteorological Department has issued an advisory to the public outlining the heat related conditions which are being experienced following hot conditions reported in many parts of the country. Mandera, Wajir and Lodwar towns recorded the highest temperatures in the country with Kakamega and Kisii counties recording the highest rainfall in the past week.

The rising temperatures witnessed in different parts of the country in recent weeks led to speculation on social media by many Kenyans that a heat wave had hit the country. The met department, however, clarified that there was no heat wave in the country although high temperatures had been recorded in the northern parts of the country.

And in a just released report on weather conditions in the country between 15^th and 21^st March, the met department showed areas hardest hit by rising temperatures. Mandera town recorded the highest temperature of 40.6 degrees celsius followed by Wajir at 40.5 degrees celsius and Lodwar at 40.1 degrees celsius.  

Despite the hot conditions reported across the country, the South Rift, Western Kenya and parts of Nyanza have experienced moderate rainfall. Kakamega County recorded the highest rainfall over the past week at 19.8 milimetres. Kisii County recorded the second highest level of rainfall at 15.4 milimetres. Narok and Kericho counties followed with 8.7 milimetres and 6.1 milimetres respectively.

The met department has also warned of rising cases of cholera with Moyale in Marsabit County leading with 180 cases, followed by Migori and Meru counties. The met department has advised Kenyans to drink clean water and observe high standard of hygiene to avoid contracting cholera.

The met department has in its advisory urged Kenyans to be on the lookout for heat related conditions and treat them accordingly. The department says heat rash on the skin, heat cramps which affects muscles, heat edema referring to swelling in the legs and hands, and fainting are some of the most dangerous conditions caused by excessive heat. The met department says some of the conditions can be life threatening and members of the public have been advised to seek necessary medical treatment.