The Kenya Meteorological Department has advised small boats and crafts to avoid deep sea areas ahead of an anticipated tropical storm lALY.
In an advisory on Monday, May 20, the Weather forecast department said south-easterly winds at 10-30 knots are expected to hit the Kenyan coast hence the precaution.
As per the advisory, the winds will 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, the department noted that moderate to strong sea conditions of wave height 1.5 -3.6m (5-12ft) were expected over Kenya and Tanzania waters.
The advisory on Monday came days after the Cyclone Hidaya threat predicted to hit parts of the Kenyan coast faded away in early May.
Tanzania govt warns of Cyclone laly
In neighboring Tanzania, the Tanzania Meteorological Authority had earlier on Monday warned that Cyclone laly was strengthening from a moderate to severe tropical storm.
At 5.38 am on Monday, the Tanzanian department said the laly was approximately 500 kilometers from the city of Dar es Salaam.
Also Read: Kenya Met Warns of Heavy Rains in 36 Counties
As a result, both the weather departments in Tanzania and Kenya warned that the storm would bring enhanced rainfall in some parts during the duration.
In an earlier report, the Kenya Met Department warned that the laly was likely to cause enhanced rainfall in areas including the highlands East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi.
In addition, the met department indicated that effects such as strong winds, large ocean waves and heavy rainfall were expected to be felt in the coastal areas.
Also Read: Cyclone Hidaya: All You Need to Know About Storm Set to Hit Kenya
Agencies including the Kenya Red Cross have been sensitizing communities on the ground, through radio and other forums to ensure their safety. Meanwhile, several parts of the country are expected to continue receiving rains according to a weather forecast report on Sunday, May 19.
In a statement, the department said 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 was expected to continue from 19th May 2024 in 36 counties.
The rains and the storm are an extension of the March April and May rains experienced in different parts of the country.
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