Killer Winds to Hit Coast - Weatherman Warns

The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued an alert on strong winds of over 40 knots set to hit the coast as the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) warned that the winds were likely to cause loss of life and property.

Kilifi, Lamu, Mombasa and Kwale are expected to be affected by the winds from Wednesday, July 18 to Saturday, July 21, 2018.

Fishers and mariners were asked to be especially vigilant by the maritime authority.

“We, therefore, advise the fishermen, speedboat operators, pleasure crafts, passengers and the general public to avoid venturing to sea and exercise caution during this period as strong winds, waves and reduced visibility may cause loss of life and property through collision and capsizing of vessels at sea,” they advised.

The Met Department, on the other hand, told residents at the Coast accustomed to high temperatures that it would get quite cold.

[caption caption="A flooded section of Tom Mboya Road in Mombasa County following heavy rains on March 13, 2018 (Courtesy)"][/caption]

The department assured that the low temperatures were normal for the season.

The 40 knots wind is classified as a gale according to the Beaufort scale, and not a storm as those begin at 48 knots.

The met department had earlier this year dismissed reports of an imminent storm at the Coast.

A widely circulated message complete with satellite images was dismissed as 'fake news'.

“That storm thing is not from us. There is no storm headed to Mombasa,” stated Kenya Meteorological Services Director Peter Ambenje at the time.

[caption caption="A beach in Mombasa"][/caption]

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