Weatherman cautions small boats, crafts from deep sea areas over tropical storm
The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned small boat navigators and crafts from sailing to the deep sea.
In a statement on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, the weatherman indicated that Tropical Storm IALY currently present over the South-West Indian Ocean is likely to occasion large waves. Kenya Met insisted that this phenomenon will affect navigation in the sea thus warning small boats.
The department explained that the tropical storm will be accompanied by strong winds which will in turn lead to strong sea conditions.
“As a result of tropical storm IALY, expect south-easterly winds at 10-30 knots over Kenya waters. Wave heights will range from 1.5 to 3.6m. Moderate to strong sea conditions,” Kenya Met stated.
“Small boats and crafts should avoid deep-sea areas,” the department further cautioned Kenyans.
David Gikungu, the Director of Kenya Meteorological Department pointed out that the same extreme conditions will be experienced in the neighbouring country of Tanzania.
“South-easterly turning south westerlies waves expected over Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania waters with the expected wave height of 1.5 to 3.6m (5-12 feet) throughout the entire forecast period,” Gikungu remarked.
The tropical storm will likely cause the small boats and crafts to capsize leading to disasters. The warning to sea navigators comes days after the Interior Cabinet Secretary warned Kenyans against crossing flooded rivers.
Kindiki made it clear that those found crossing flooded water bodies would be charged with attempted suicide or murder. The CS lamented over the tendency of Kenyans who risked their lives to cross flooded water bodies at the peak of the rainfall season.
“The Government is deeply concerned by the loss of life and destruction of public and private property resulting from the ongoing floods. There are reports of continued risky behaviour by motorists and pedestrians and casual treatment by members of the public of weather forecasts and voluntary evacuation advisories,” Kindiki stated.
“To mitigate further loss of life, County Security and Intelligence Committees (CSICs) across the country are directed to immediately deploy enforcement teams at urban and rural road spots prone to stormwater flooding and without bridges or where the water has breached the bridge to prevent motorists or pedestrians from dangerous crossovers and to arrest and prosecute offenders for attempted suicide and/or attempted murder as the facts of the case may be.”
Weather forecast for this week
Besides the tropical storm, the weatherman listed 36 counties which will record moderate to high rainfall this week.
Kisumu, Homabay, Siaya, Migori, Busia, Kisii, Nyamira, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Narok and Baringo were included in the list of areas set to experience downpours.
Others include Nakuru, Trans-Nzoia, Uasin-Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West-Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Mombasa, Tana-River, Kilifi, Lamu, and Kwale.
“Heavy rainfall of more than 30mm in 24hrs pounding several parts of the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi area is expected to continue from Sunday, May 19, 2024. The heavy rainfall is predicted to intensify to more than 40mm in 24hrs over the Rift Valley, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley Including the Nairobi area, Lake Victoria Basin and off the coast on Monday, May 20, 2024, to Tuesday, May 21, 2024,” the weatherman announced.
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