New Cyclone Ialy Hits Indian Ocean As Kenya Met Issues Rainfall Advisory

The Kenya Meteorological Department on Monday, May 20 told Kenyans to brace themselves for enhanced rainfall in several parts of the country owing to the effects of Cyclone Ialy currently in the Indian Ocean.

The department in a statement revealed that the storm is likely to enhance rainfall over the western half of the country and parts of the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, including Nairobi.

Tropical Cyclone Ialy which formed in the Indian Ocean south of Seychelles on Tuesday last week moving at 35 kilometres per hour has gained strength and is currently a severe Tropical Cyclone moving at 100 kilometres per hour.

According to the tracking system Zoom Earth, Cyclone Ialy is expected to reduce in intensity beginning Monday afternoon to a moderate Tropical Storm at 85 kilometres per hour.

Live tracking of Cyclone Ialy as of May 20, 2024. /ZOOM EARTH

The storm bears heavy rainfall effects and is likely to cause strong winds as it sweeps through the South-West Indian Ocean. Among the other effects expected in Kenya include strong southerly winds and large waves from the Indian Ocean.

"The storm is likely to enhance rainfall over the western half of the country and parts of the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, including Nairobi," read the advisory in part.

"Large waves are expected over the Indian Ocean. Strong southerly winds are anticipated over the eastern sector of the country. Heavy rainfall off the Coast of Kenya may occasionally propagate inland."

Kenya Met however noted that by the laws of physics, cyclones cannot come very close to the equator (within 5 degrees south or 5 degrees north, approximately 480 km from the equator).

Areas to be affected include; Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya, Migori, Busia, Kisii, Nyamira, Nandi and Kericho among others.

“The heavy rainfall is predicted to intensify to more than 40mm in 24hrs over the Rift Valley, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi area, Lake Victoria Basin and off the Coast on 20th to 21st May 2024,” Kenya Met had earlier cautioned.

What is different between Tropical Cyclone Ialy and its sister Hidaya which impacted Tanzania is that its path is northwards towards the equator and will move to close to 3 degrees South before dissipating at a low speed of 55 kilometres per hour.

Hidaya swept through the Tanzanian coast, tweaking havoc on several houses and other properties, with photos showing several houses destroyed by Cyclone Hidaya as coconut trees fell on houses as a result of the heavy rainfall and strong winds. Mafia Island was the worst hit by the cyclone.

However, Kenya witnessed mild effects of the tropical storm. Small boats and crafts sailors were however advised not to venture into the deep sea in Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi and Lamu.

The heavy rainfall characterised by strong winds saw ferry services between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam suspended for safety reasons and triggered a major blackout in most parts of the country.