Drought Situation & EW Phase Classification
Biophysical Indicators
The onset of rains was in the third week of October with the date’s varying from 17th of October to 19th of October, 2015 which was timely.
Rainfall across the county over the month of October was limited to falls of 20 - 150 mm across Rainfed, and Mixed Farming livelihood zones. Parts of the Marginal Mixed farming livelihood zone received 10 - 40 mm, primarily in the north.
As a result of long dry spell, the Vegetation Cover Index (VCI) depicted significantly below average vegetation conditions at an index of 23 compared to 30 in the month of September.
The major source of water for livestock and domestic use in Tharaka were natural rivers, pipelines, boreholes and traditional river wells. Normally other sources of water would include springs, pans, and dams.
Socio Economic Indicators (Impact Indicators)
Pasture and browse quality remained poor in most parts of the County. The onset of rains is yet to impact on the quality of the pasture and browse.
Livestock body condition was fair to poor, which is normal at this time of the year.
Milk Production and consumption per livelihood zone slightly declined from an average of 20 litres and 17 litres respectively in the month of September to an average production of 19 litres and an average consumption of 15 litres in the period under review.
Terms of Trade (ToT) ratio were at 97 in comparison to an average of 94 in the month of September implying TOT was favourable to the livestock keepers.
Percentage of children at risk for malnourished whose MUAC was below 135 mm was 7.8 for the period under review which was below the average of 8.8.
Current Drought Risk
In most areas of the county, many households will remain Stressed (IPC Phase 2) owing to low stocks held at household level.