Avoid charcoal heating during this cold period if you are staying in poorly ventilated homes, Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has warned Kenyans, saying if inhaled the carbon monoxide gas emitted, could be fatal.

Human beings tend to curl around a fireplace during the cold weather, but with charcoal jikos in enclosed rooms, this may lead to death.

Known as the “silent killer” because of its colourless, odourless, tasteless and non- irritating features, carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that can kill within minutes, if a lot of the fumes are inhaled.

In the latest KMD’s update, the weatherman also cautioned that cases of respiratory diseases such as asthma, pneumonia, flu, and the common cold are likely to increase due to the expected cool and chilly conditions.

“This is likely to happen in Nairobi, the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, parts of the Central and South Rift Valley, and parts of the Highlands West of the Rift Valley,” said the weatherman in a report covering July, August and September.

And to avoid contracting diseases, the general public is advised to dress warmly and to follow the advice of the Health Authorities.

Cold weather

The weatherman says in his latest update that rains being witnessed intermittently in many parts of the country currently, are likely to continue experiencing showers even as the cold weather persists leaving Kenyans more confused.

“The climate outlook for the next three months indicates that the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Basin, the Central Rift Valley and parts of the South Rift Valley are likely to experience rainfall with some breaks throughout the forecast period,” said KMD on its website.

This was reinforced by director, Dr David Gikungu, noting that the rainfall is likely to be near to above the July to September Long-Term Mean (LTM), predictions with departures from normal conditions for a given month or season.

The North-western region according to the weatherman is likely to remain generally dry.

“However, a few areas bordering Uganda and South Sudan are likely to experience occasional rainfall that is expected to be above the July to September LTM,” notes the weatherman, whereas the Highlands East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi County is expected to be mainly cool and cloudy with occasional light rains in July and August with a likelihood of the cool conditions extending into early September.

Occasional rainfall

The rest of September is likely to be generally dry, with the Coastal region likely to experience occasional rainfall during the forecast period which is expected to be near the July to September LTM.

According to KMD, the South-eastern lowland is expected to remain generally dry during the forecast period.

“However, a few areas bordering the central highlands and Nairobi are likely to experience occasional cold and cloudy conditions in July and August and early September,” added Dr Gikungu.