Tropical Cyclone Hidaya is over, heavy rainfall forecasted
Kenya has been placed on high alert ahead of Cyclone Hidaya, which is expected to hit the Tanzanian coastal region, with the effects felt along the Kenyan coast.
On Saturday, May 4, 2024, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki banned fishing, swimming, beach activities and non-essential transport in the coastal region due to the threat posed by the cyclone, including strong winds and waves.
However, at midnight on May 4, 2024, the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) issued an update on Cyclone Hidaya, stating that it had lost strength over Mafia Island.
“The trend and patterns of weather systems indicate that Tropical Cyclone Hidaya has completely lost its strength in the last 6 hours after making landfall on Mafia Island early this morning. In addition, the remnants of the clouds that accompanied the tropical cyclone have been observed weakening and spreading over various areas in the southern region of our country. There is no further threat from Tropical Cyclone Hidaya in our country,” the TMA said.
The TMA also predicted that normal rainfall would continue in some areas.
In Kenya, 37 counties including those in the coastal region – Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi and Lamu counties – where the aftermath of the cyclone was expected, were forecast to experience moderate heavy rains and thunderstorms on May 5, 2024.
“Tropical Cyclone Hidaya has passed and is predicted to have weakened, but heavy rainfall is still expected along the coast with strong winds and high waves already experienced in Kwale,” said the Kenyan Ministry of Interior and National Administration.
Ahead of the Cyclone Hidaya warnings, the government had taken several measures, including assessing 22 dams in the Coast region and issuing 24-hour evacuation notices to people living near high-risk dams and water reservoirs in the region and across the country.
The Kenya Coast Guard had also been deployed to territorial and inland waters and was on high alert in Kilifi, Kisumu, Tana River, Garissa and Nairobi counties.
The government had also banned all beach, swimming and fishing activities as well as non-essential transport along the coast from May 4 to 6. This was due to water currents and stagnation, with many coastal and border roads partially flooded and key road infrastructure damaged, making travel and transport difficult.