Busia and Siaya counties in the Republic of Kenya are among the beneficiaries of the set-up of new automated weather stations that will be used to measure and transmit weather parameters for timely and accurate weather forecasting.
The two counties have in the past experienced perennial flooding in Budalangi and Alego Usonga constituencies respectively.
The ultra-modern weather stations are equipped with seven sensors designed to detect crucial metrological parameters including rain, sunshine, wind speed, humidity, atmospheric pressure and temperature which are recorded in a data and transmitted in Nairobi through a website.
The Automatic weather station sub project is funded by Adaptation fund through UNEP to a tune of USD 18,300 is implemented by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) under the Adapting to Climate Change in Lake Victoria Basin (ACC-LVB) Project
The Automatic Weather Stations, which are also linked to the metrological server in Nairobi, will also give accurate information to the residents living within the Lake Victoria Basin, especially within the projects site of Siaya and Busia.
County Director Meteorology for Siaya Explaining the key component of the Automated Weather Station to LVBC Project Development Officer
According to the Executive Secretary Dr Masinde Bwire, the new weather stations located in Odiado secondary school in Funyula Constituency Busia County and Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI) Centre in Got Ramogi hills Siaya county will also assist in getting real time information about current weather conditions.
Dr Bwire said, “this modern equipment is critical in this region because many people have always been rendered homeless due to unpredictable weather pattern. Through these new stations, the residents will be able to know and take preventive measures against destructive rain. Strong winds and severe high or low temperatures”.
Lake Victoria Basin Commission Project Development officer Eng Hilda Luoga said the commission is seeking support from development partners to upscale the project in the region surrounding Lake Victoria.
Siaya county director of metrological services Mr. Dominic Arodi said, “this is a major boost in our region as it will help in giving accurate and timely metrological data that will be beneficial to the residents”.
Mr. Joseph Onani, deputy headteacher of St Lukes Odiado Secondary school said, “we are happy because our students and others within the region will get the fast hand information from this automated weather station”.
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