Cyclone Hidaya, characterised by heavy rainfall, large waves, and powerful winds, is advancing towards the East African coast, sparking fears of flooding in the Kenyan coastal region.
According to the Igad Climate Predictions and Applications Center (ICPAC), Cyclone Hidaya is currently active in the Indian Ocean and is forecast to make landfall on Friday, along Tanzania’s coast, to the south of Dar es Salaam.
The cyclone is anticipated to persist into Saturday morning before weakening and dissipating.
“Extra caution is strongly advised for marine navigation and fishermen due to choppy waters along the storm’s trajectory,” ICPAC said.
A report to the Kenyan government suggests that the storm’s effects are likely to affect activities in the Indian Ocean.
As a precaution, on Thursday, the government ordered residents in flood-prone areas across five counties to evacuate within 24 hours or face forced evictions.
The areas in Taita-Taveta, Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu, and Kwale Counties are among a list of 33 counties that are close to high-risk dams and other water reservoirs.
The Ministry of Interior and National Coordination has warned of a high risk of floods in the sub-counties of Msambweni (Kwale), Ganze, and Malindi (Kilifi), Taita and Taveta (Taita-Taveta), and Lamu Central (Lamu).
The Kenyan coast has not yet experienced the heavy rainfall witnessed in other areas of the country. However, the region is likely to experience flooding in the coming days as upstream water fills up dams and rivers.
