Cyclone Hidaya: Gov't Bans All Beach Activities In The Coast To Avert Casualties

• On Saturday, May 4, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki issued guidelines regarding beach activities at the coast
• Kindiki banned all beach activities starting May 4, 2024, at 5.00pm up to and until midnight on Monday, May 6, 2024
• Kindiki said scientific tracking had shown that Cyclone Hidaya could hit the coastal region anytime

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Mombasa - Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has issued new directives over Cyclone Hiyada, which is expected to hit the coastal region.

Will Cyclone Hidaya hit Kenya?

In a statement on Saturday, May 4, Kindiki said scientific tracking had shown that Cyclone Hidaya could hit the coastal region any time.

According to the Interior CS, the Cyclone could generate massive precipitation with strong winds that could disrupt normal activities.

"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," Kindiki said.

As a precautionary measure, Kindiki said activities within Kenya's territorial waters, along the beaches and within settlements adjacent to the shoreline would have to be disrupted for public safety reasons.

He said all activities, including swimming and fishing, stand suspended until May 6, when Cyclone Hidaya is expected to expire.

"Accordingly, the 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," Kindiki stated.

What is Cyclone Hidaya?

As reported earlier, the Meteorological Department of Kenya warned about an impending cyclone that could hit Kenya's coastal region.

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.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.