Cyclone Hidaya Hits Tanzanian Coast With Effects Already Being Felt In Kenya

A cyclone taking place at a village in Mozambique
Cyclone Hidaya taking place at a village in Mozambique
Photo
World Health Organisation

The Kenya Meteorological Department on Saturday, May 4, announced the landfall of Cyclone Hidaya on the Tanzanian coast, bringing with it devastating effects.

In its mid-morning advisory, the weather department stated that despite the cyclone hitting the Tanzanian coast, its effects were already being felt in Kenya.

“Current observations indicate that Tropical Cyclone Hidaya has made landfall on the coast of Tanzania," Kenya Met warned.

Kenyans were further warned of a depression that developed behind the strong winds something which the department said it was watching closely.

Hidaya
A satellite image of the predicted path of Cyclone Hidaya.
Photo
Zoom Earth

"However, there is another depression developing behind it, which the Department is monitoring closely,” read part of the advisory by the meteorological department.

According to the meteorological department, the strong winds would exceed 40 knots (20.6 m/s) and large waves surpass two meters.

Kenyans living on the coastal line including counties of Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu were warned of expected heavy rainfall as of Sunday, May 5.

"The rains are expected to intensify on Monday, May 6 through to Tuesday, May 7," the meteorological department announced.

Reports from Tanzania suggested the cyclone had caused immense effects, especially on the country's coast. As of Saturday, May 4, the Tanzanian Ministry of Energy announced a major blackout in most parts of the country.

Tanzania's govt warned that the effects of the cyclone would increase with the intensity of the strong winds even as it headed to Kenya.

Cyclone Hidaya's onset to Kenya was first announced by President William Ruto following a cabinet meeting held on Thursday, May 2.

Communities living on the Kenyan coast were warned to prepare with fishermen urged to retract from fishing until the oncoming calamity calms.

Cyclone
The predicted landing times of Cyclone Hidaya.
Photo
Zoom Earth