Weatherman Warns Cyclone Hidaya, String Waves and Wind Could Hit Kenya: "Rain Intensity Will Double"

 

Weather forecasts indicate that Cyclone Hidaya will reach peak speeds of 165 kph.

The Meteorological Department of Kenya has warned about an impending cyclone that could hit Kenya's coastal region. Weather forecasts indicate that Cyclone Hidaya will reach peak speeds of 165 kph. What is Cyclone Hidaya? According to the weatherman, the region will experience strong ocean waves from Thursday, May 2, to Monday, May 6. The department said the strong waves that will hit parts of Mombasa are a result of Cyclone Hidaya, which has already hit parts of the Comoros Islands. According to the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), Cyclone Hidaya is a moderate tropical storm currently over the Indian Ocean. It is expected to reach peak speeds of 165 kph and double rainfall intensity. Will Cyclone Hidaya increase rainfall in Kenya? The cyclone is expected to double the intensity of rainfall. In 24 hours, areas around Lake Victoria, Rift Valley, Western and Eastern Rift Valley, and Nairobi will experience harsh weather conditions until Sunday, May 5. Heavy rainfall is expected to hit 42 countries nationwide, and citizens have been warned to watch out for random flash floods. The weatherman also indicated that some areas will be extremely foggy and hinder visibility. The department presented the worrying news to the president, the cabinet, the Ministry of Environment, the Kenya Forest Service, disaster management departments, and other relevant authorities.  In Kenya Daily Nation reported that the Cabinet, which met for the second time in a week's time, was notified that the average to high rainfall being experienced in parts of the country will continue for the next three months. According to the brief to the Cabinet, the continued rains could lead to flash floods, mudslides, and landslides in low-lying areas. This development informed President William Ruto's directive that Kenyans living in riparian and low-lying areas should relocate to higher and safer grounds. Kenya's heavy rainfall linked to climate change The certainty of reopening schools on Monday, May 7, is still in limbo, as some of the learning institutions are marooned with water and others are still hosting thousands of displaced families. The Cabinet acknowledged that extreme and harsh weather conditions were a result of climate change and pledged to prioritise policies that champion the mitigation of adverse effects. Greenpeace Africa, an environmental campaign organisation, recently blamed the extreme weather conditions on climate change and called out massive fossil fuel users, saying they needed to pay for the losses and damage.  “The science is clear that these extreme weather events are a direct consequence of our continued reliance on fossil fuels, wreaking havoc on vulnerable communities across the globe. Fossil fuel companies should be held accountable and contribute their fair share to addressing the climate crisis," Dr Oulie Keita, Greenpeace Africa’s Executive Director said. This comes as the death toll from floods in Kenya neared the 200 mark, according to statistics that the government released. 

by  Michael Ollinga Oruko