The Kenya Red Cross has reported that tropical Storm IALY has hit the Kenyan coast resulting in severe damages including blowing off roofs of residential homes.
The humanitarian organization in a statement has also indicated that two electric posts in Jilore Trading Centre in the coastal region caught fire while several others fell down.
Further, the statement detailed that the electric posts that fell were in in Casuarina, Olimpia, Madunguni in Malindi and Garashi in Magarini, Kilifi County.
One of the affected houses was a residential building in the Majajani area of Kilifi County, whose roof was blown away as a result of strong winds caused by the storm.
“Extremely strong winds have been reported in various coastal areas of Kenya due to Tropical Storm IALY. In the Majajani area of Kilifi County, strong winds blew off the roof of a residential house.
“Electric posts in Casuarina, Olimpia, Madunguni in Malindi and Garashi in Magarini, Kilifi County, fell down, while two posts in Jilore Trading Centre caught fire,” Kenya Red Cross stated.
However, the humanitarian organization noted that there were no casualties reported adding that a team of first responders were in the region to sensitizing communities on preparedness measures.
Also Read: Weatherman Warns of New Storm Expected to Bring Heavy Rain
Kenya Met Warns of the Incoming Storm
The Kenya Meteorological Department had earlier warned of the storm asking residents of the area avoid taking their small boats and crafts to deep sea areas.
In an advisory on Monday, May 20, the weatherman said south-easterly winds at 10-30 knots are expected to hit the Kenyan coast hence the precaution.
As per the advisory, the winds would likely cause waves with heights ranging from 1.5 to 3.6m beginning Tuesday, May 21 to Monday May 27.
“Easterly winds are expected over Somali waters with wind speeds of 30 knots (15 m/s) hence South Easterly winds are expected over Kenya and Tanzania waters with winds of 10 to 30Knots (5- 15m/s) during the entire forecast period,” stated the Weather Department.
“Small boats and crafts advised not to venture into deep sea areas during the entire forecast period,” read part of the statement.
At the same time, KMD noted that that is expected to escalate over the western half of the country and parts of the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, including the capital city Nairobi.
Additionally, the storm is likely to whip up large waves along the Indian Ocean coastline, posing hazards to marine activities.
Also Read: Tanzania Met Issues New Weather Alert After Cyclone Hidaya Ended
Tanzania and Somali Warns of Cyclone laly
Meanwhile, the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) has issued a severe cyclone warning named Laly,
According to a statement from the agency, the cyclone is rapidly approaching coastal cities, including Mogadishu, Barawe, Marka, Jamame, Kismayo and Badhadhe.
“Somali Disaster Management Agency has issued a severe cyclone warning named Laly, which is rapidly approaching coastal cities. The public is advised to exercise extreme caution.,” the statement read in part.
Furthermore, in neighboring Tanzania, the Meteorological Authority had warned that Cyclone Laly was strengthening from a moderate to severe tropical storm and was approximately 500 kilometers from the city of Dar es Salaam at 5.38 am on Monday, May 20.
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