The Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) has warned residents of strong winds and large waves expected in the coastal areas of the country.
In a statement on May 15, the weatherman said the heavy winds and storms will affect some parts of the Indian Ocean Coastline including the regions of Tanga, Dar es Salaam, the Mafia Islands, Lindi, and Mtwara, as well as the islands of Unguja and Pemba.
“Alert: Strong wind reaching speeds of 40 kilometers per hour and large waves reaching up to 2 meters high will be affecting certain areas of the Indian Ocean coastline,” Tanzania Met said in a statement.
The strong winds and heavy storms are expected to start on Wednesday, May 15 through to May 18, 2024.
Weatherman Issues Warning to Tanzanians
However, the met department explained that the possibility of occurrence and the expected level of impact is on an average level.
Also Read: Kenya Met Warns of Heavy Rains & Cold Nights in These Regions
Furthermore, they stated that potential impacts of the winds and storms may include disruption of some economic activities, fishing, and maritime transportation.
The weatherman also advised the residents to take caution and get prepared of the weather changes.
Effects Of Cyclone Hidaya in Tanzania
The warning comes after the country experienced Cyclone Hidaya on May 4 that left a trail of destruction in Mafia Island, which is located about 130 kilometers South-East of Dar es Salaam.
As a result, ferry services between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar were suspended for the period the cyclone was expected for safety reasons.
Tanzania’s government announced that five people died and seven others were injured following the Cyclone Hidaya crisis.
Also Read: Cyclone Hidaya: All You Need to Know About Storm Set to Hit Kenya
Cyclone Hidaya landed on Tanzania’s coastline, adversely affecting Mtwara, Lindi, Coast and Morogoro regions.
About 7,027 households with 18,862 people were affected, according to Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa in a statement he issued in parliament on May 9.
“Effects of the cyclone have been witnessed on infrastructure as some roads and bridges have been swept away by the heavy rains, with electric power poles also destroyed,” he said.
During the period, Majaliwa said the weather stations in Kilwa and Mtwara recorded 316 millimeters and 99 millimeters of rain levels respectively in May, as compared to 96.6 millimeters and 54 millimeters normal rainfall levels.
“Under normal circumstances, the 316 millimeters of rainfall recorded in Kilwa within 36 hours is equivalent to three years’ worth of rainfall for May, specifically for 2024, 2025 and 2026,” he said.
