Quoting the Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum Statement, the EAC says parts of South Sudan, Western Kenya, Uganda, Northern Tanzania and Rwanda are expected to receive above normal rainfall between June and September this year, while the rest of the EAC Region is expected to experience the normal dry season.

"Against the backdrop of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the heavy floods that have caused havoc in parts of the region and the second wave of desert locust invasion, the EAC Secretariat urges the Partner States to take appropriate measures toward off further threats to our people," explained the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Mr Christophe Bazivamo.

The EAC cautioned that a warmer than usual season is expected in the coastal parts of the region from Kenya to Tanzania and beyond, Burundi, Rwanda, and western South Sudan.

Following the revelations by the Africa Climate Outlook Forum Statement, the EAC Secretariat has challenged ministries responsible for disaster preparedness among the six partner states to alert people living in flood and landslide-prone areas on the expected heavy rains and ahead of time support those who need to relocate.

EAC also challenged ministries responsible for agriculture to advise farmers on the best time to prepare for gardening against the backdrop of climate change and ensure agricultural inputs are timely availed to them.