NAIROBI, KENYA.-Rain Strong winds and gusty winds lashed coastal areas Kenya And TanzaniaThe first effects of a Cyclone This threatens to worsen the chaos in these two East African countries, which are already suffering from deadly floods.
About 400 people have died in East Africa since March and tens of thousands have been displaced by rains that have triggered floods and landslides, swept away homes and destroyed roads and bridges.
Kenya's Meteorological Department said on Saturday that the impact of Tropical Cyclone Hithaya was already being felt on the high seas, with winds of 75 km/h and waves of more than 2 metres.
He has warned that rain will continue in the coastal areas from Sunday and will intensify over the next two days.
“Current observations suggest that Tropical Cyclone Hidaya has made landfall off the coast of Tanzania. But another depression is forming,” he added.
Tanzanian officials did not immediately confirm.
In its latest bulletin on Saturday, Tanzania's Meteorological Authority noted strong winds and heavy rain along the coast overnight.
In Mtwara region, 75.5 mm of rain fell in 12 hours, the average for May is 54 mm.
The Tanzanian agency asked residents living in risk areas and people working in the marine sector to take “maximum precautions”.
Cyclone season in the southwest Indian Ocean typically lasts from November to April and typically brings about a dozen storms each year.
