• In line with the climate change experienced across the globe, the wind speeds over the coastlines of Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania are expected to adjust. Tropical storm IALY is responsible for this shift.

In line with the climate change experienced across the globe, the wind speeds over the coastlines of Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania are expected to adjust. Tropical storm IALY is responsible for this shift.

Somalia will experience increased easterly wind speeds of 30 knots (15 m/s), while Kenya and Tanzania will encounter elevated south-easterly wind speeds of 10 to 30 knots (5 to 15 m/s), an event that translates to overstated waves as high as 3.6 meters.

The Kenya Meteorological Department, on the morning of May 21, 2024, cautioned that this will occasion moderate to strong sea conditions, therefore crippling navigation by small boats to deep sea areas. Marine activity by crafts ought to be suspended for the forecast duration due to the peril of capsizing.

“As a result of tropical storm IALY, expect south-easterly winds at 10-30 knots over Kenya waters. Wave heights will range from 1.5 to 3.6m and moderate to strong sea conditions. Small boats and crafts should avoid deep-sea areas,” the department posted on X.

Already, extremely strong winds have been reported in various coastal areas of Kenya due to Tropical Storm IALY.

According to the Kenya Red Cross Society, strong winds blew off the roof of a residential house in the Majajani area of Kilifi County. Moreover, electric posts in Casuarina, Olimpia, Madunguni in Malindi and Garashi in Magarini, Kilifi County, fell down, while two posts in Jilore Trading Centre caught fire.

No casualties have been reported so far.