Heavy rains, strong winds alert issued in Coast region

Japanese car carrier ship, Emarald Ace, navigates through rough Indian Ocean waters as it enters the port of Mombasa on October 23, 2018. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The warning comes days after hundreds of families left their homes for safer areas in Tana River County for fear of floods.
  • The rais are expected to affect Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu counties as fishermen are also warned of strong waves in the ocean.

  • The ministry said the winds are expected to be of speeds between 15 to 24 knots and of gusts around 33 knots.

The Meteorological Department has warned Coast residents to brace for heavy rains Wednesday.

The warning comes days after hundreds of families left their homes for safer areas in Tana River County for fear of floods.

The residents of Galole and Tana Delta in the county have started pitching camp on higher grounds.

DISASTER

Garissa County National Drought Management Authority coordinator Abdinoor Dubow has also cautioned residents living along the River Tana flood-prone areas to brace for a possible deluge  in the coming days.

Speaking in Garissa Town yesterday, Mr Dubow urged locals to heed the weatherman’s warning.

"We will have a meeting with all players so that we are able to handle any eventuality following enhanced rainfall announced by the Meteorological Department," Mr Dubow said. Tana River residents said they decided to move early to avoid the disaster that comes with flooding.

PROPERTY

"We do not want to go through what we went through last time. We are more than 300 in this camp," Mr Toash Maro sai.

Mr Maro said the movement will save lives but not property as they could not move with their valuables.

"We incurred losses in the recent floods. The rains brought pests that destroyed our crops hence affecting our harvest. Now, here we are, no houses, no food again, we seek government support in these difficult times," he said.

FISHERMEN

Tana River Woman Representative Rehema Hassan also appealed to residents to heed the alert for their safety.

The Meteorological Department says the heavy rains, which will be accompanied by strong winds, are expected to affect Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu counties. Fishermen are also warned of strong waves in the ocean.

“Heavy rainfall of more than 30mm in 24 hours is expected on Wednesday. The rainfall is expected to intensify to more than 40mm in 24 hours on Thursday along the South Coast,” read the advisory. The rains will subside on Friday.

STORM

“People should avoid driving, wading or walking through any fast-moving waters. The heavy rains and strong winds offshore may result in a storm surge along the Coast hence fishermen and all in the marine industry should be on high alert,” read the warning.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry has also issued an advisory on strong winds and high seas along the Kenyan coastal waters for the next three days, the Ministry of Environment has said.

The advisory targets small vessels, fishermen and inexperienced sailors.

HAZARDOUS

“Strong to at times very strong south to southeast winds and high seas are expected to prevail across Kenya coastal waters. Small craft advisory is in effect from Tuesday through Friday,” read the urgent marine weather message from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

The ministry said the winds are expected to be of speeds between 15 to 24 knots and of gusts around 33 knots.

The waves/seas will be of wave heights of 6 to 7 feet near shore with occasional seas of up to 12 feet. 

EXPEDITIONS

“A small craft advisory means that wind speeds of 21 to 33 knots are or wave heights of 7 feet of greater are expected to produce hazardous conditions to small craft,” warned the marine meteorological port office in Mombasa.

Inexperienced mariners or sailors, especially those operating smaller vessels, are cautioned against navigating in those conditions.

Fishermen and other mariners are also warned to pay close attraction to marine forecast and consider wind and sea conditions before going for their expeditions in the sea.​

Reporting by Winnie Atieno, Stephen Oduor and Abdimalik Hajir