Meru County: Drought Early Warning Bulletin for April 2021 – Kenya

Drought situation and classification of phases of electronic warfare
Biophysical indicators
Precipitation: The onset of the long rains was late as precipitation was received during the first week of April. Below average rainfall was recorded with uneven distribution across livelihood zones.
Vegetation Condition: Normal vegetation greenness was recorded in all regions with a higher county record than normal greenness. The condition of the pastures was average to poor in the mixed and agro-pastoral livelihood zones and good in the rainfed zone. The navigator was mediocre to average in agro-pastoral and mixed farming and good in the rain-fed zone.
Socio-economic indicators (impact indicators)
Production indicators: Crops are at the germination stage in agro-pastoral and mixed areas and up to the knees in rainfed areas. The body condition of livestock for small animals and cattle was fair to good.
Cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been reported in western Tigania. Both external and internal migrations took place in the county during the month.
Access indicators: Average distances back to water sources for households and livestock increased compared to March and were above normal average. Milk consumption per household per day decreased from March and is below normal average. The current trade term is significantly above the normal average.
Usage indicators: the household food consumption score is within the acceptable range while the adaptation strategy employed by households has slightly decreased compared to the previous month.
The nutritional status of children under five was in the green band.