The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) says it has strengthened flood early warning systems and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) programmes in light of the 2019 /2020 rainfall outlook.

Recently the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services released the rainfall outlook which indicated that most parts of the country will receive normal rainfall from October to April.

The main rains are expected to be experienced from November.

Spokesperson for DODMA, Chipiliro Khamula, said they have intensified awareness messages to the masses through radio programmes to ensure that people are well prepared.

He said: “We are alert and well prepared for this rainfall season and as one way of disseminating messages we are using radio programmes to reach out to the masses.”

DODMA is also working with district councils to ensure that DRR programmes are effectively implemented.

“Councils have been given funds to implement DRR programmes such as construction of Dykes in flood prone areas,” he said.

Meanwhile the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has advised players in the agriculture sector to seek advice from the ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development when applying the forecast in their crop production plans.