The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a new weather advisory warning of strong winds and high waves that could cause serious damage and marine disruption for the next six days.
The advisory, which was shared on Friday, June 13, explains that the weather conditions are likely to affect large parts of the country and could result in destruction of property and interruption of daily activities.
According to the statement, the strong winds may blow off roofs, uproot trees, and even damage buildings and structures in affected areas. There is also a warning about large waves that will cause low visibility and disrupt marine operations.The advisory listed several areas that are at risk.
These include the Coast, North-Eastern, North-Western, and South-Eastern lowlands. Counties expected to face the worst impact are Lamu, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Tana River, Taita Taveta, Marsabit, Turkana, Samburu, Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Kitui, and Makueni.
The Kenya Met Department mentioned that the chances of this adverse weather happening range from 33 to 66 per cent. They have advised people in these areas to stay alert and prepare for possible damage.
The warning covers the period from Friday, June 13, to Wednesday, June 18, ending at 10:00am.The forecast shows that on June 13, strong southerly winds will be blowing at speeds of more than 25 knots, which is equal to 12.9 metres per second.
These winds will mainly affect the North-Eastern, North-Western, South-Eastern lowlands, and Coastal regions. From Saturday, June 14, to Tuesday, June 17, the wind speeds are expected to increase to over 30 knots, or 15.4 metres per second.
The winds are expected to slow down slightly on Wednesday, June 18, back to 25 knots.In addition to the winds, the department also forecasted dangerous sea conditions. On Friday, June 13, wave heights along Kenya’s coast will be above 2.5 metres.
These waves will grow taller between Saturday and Tuesday, reaching up to 2.8 metres. By Wednesday, the waves are expected to reduce to below 2.4 metres.
These conditions are risky for anyone at sea, including fishermen and those involved in ocean travel or water sports.In a previous warning of strong winds, the Mombasa County Government took strict measures to protect residents.
Public beaches were closed for two days, and ocean-based activities were suspended. This included both commercial and recreational activities, such as fishing, boat rides, and water sports. The new warning could lead to similar action by coastal counties if the weather worsens.
With such strong winds and dangerous waves expected, Kenyans in the listed areas are being urged to stay updated on weather alerts and take all precautions. The Kenya Meteorological Department continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates if the conditions change.
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