Cyclone Hidaya alert: Gov’t bans beach activities in bid to avert loss of lives

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya is expected to hit the country any time from the Indian Ocean with strong winds experienced for the better part of Friday evening.

This as President William Ruto said Kenya will face its first ever cyclone beginning Friday until Monday and asked Kenyans living along the Coastline to be vigilant.

Top security officers in Mombasa and Lamu have since already issued an order banning beach activities in the Coastal region.

As predicted by the weatherman on Thursday, strong winds on Friday began hitting the Indian Ocean with boat operators unable to contain the situation.

A few metres from the shores of the Indian Ocean, coconut trees were unable to sustain strong winds that are expected to increase on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, accompanied by large ocean waves hitting about 2 metres high and heavy rains across the country.

Police officers in Mombasa and Lamu have been deployed to work with beach management units to ensure that nobody is out on the beach.

Lamu Acting County Commissioner Charles Githeka said: “Tutasitisha usafiri kutoka kisiwa cha Lamu hadi hadi visiwa vilivyoko Lamu mashariki hadi usalama uwepo katika maeneo hayo.”

A recent update by the IGAD climate prediction and applications centre has revealed the Cyclone Hidaya is currently at a severe level, also warning that it may make land fall on Saturday, May 4th.