Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has issued an update on tropical Cyclone Hidaya which is set to hit the Kenyan Coast, banning listed activities within the region effective today.
Kindiki in a May 9, 2024, statement gave safety precaution orders while announcing that scientific tracking of Cyclone Hidaya has established that the storm has now acquired full status with the capability of remaining so until it hits the Coasts of Kenya and Tanzania any time from now.
“The Cyclone could generate massive precipitation with strong winds and powerful waves capable of significantly disrupting normal activities within Kenya’s territorial waters in the Indian Ocean as well as human settlements along the Kenyan Coast,” read part of the statement.
CS Kindiki announced that activities within Kenya’s territorial waters, along the beaches and within settlements adjacent to the shoreline will have to be disrupted as a precautionary measure for public safety reasons.
Kindiki Issues Directive
Members of public were cautioned from engaging in fishing, swimming and leisure activities within Kenya’s territorial waters and the beaches.
Also Read: Cyclone Hidaya: All You Need to Know About Storm Set to Hit Kenya
According to CS Kindiki, this applies to residents of Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi and Lamu Counties that available scientific information points to the possibility of risk to life and property within these areas.
Further, the Interior CS directed regional authorities to immediately issue of notices and strict enforcement of a ban on beach activities including fishing, swimming and non-essential transport within Kenya’s territorial waters and evacuation of settlements deemed too close to the shoreline.
“County Security and Intelligence Committees (CSICs) of Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi and Lamu Counties in collaboration with the Kenya Coast Guard Service(KCGS) are directed to immediately issue notices and to strictly enforce a ban on beach activities, fishing, swimming, non-essential transport within Kenya’s territorial waters and evacuate settlements deemed too close to the shoreline effective today, May 4, 2024 at 5.00pm up to and until midnight on Monday, May 6, 2024 when Cyclone Hidaya is expected to expire,” said Kindiki.
Cyclone Hidaya
The directive by Kindiki comes after the Kenya Met Department (KMD) announced that current observations indicate that Tropical Cyclone Hidaya has made landfall on the coast of Tanzania.
Also Read: Ruto Gives Linturi & Other CSs Fresh Orders Amid Floods
KMD in a statement earlier on Saturday said that another depression is developing behind the Cyclone, which the department assured members of public that it is closely monitoring.
According to the weatherman, heavy rainfall is expected offshore along the Kenyan coast from Sunday, May 5th, intensifying on Monday, May 6th, to Tuesday, May 7th, 2024.
“The effects of the cyclone are already being felt offshore, with strong winds exceeding 40 knots (20.6 m/s) and large waves surpassing two meters,” added Kenya met.
Residents, particularly in coastal regions and individuals involved in marine activities in the Indian Ocean, were encouraged to take maximum precautions.
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