Kenyan President William Ruto has put the country on alert and postponed the reopening of schools indefinitely as residents frantically prepare for the arrival of the first cyclone in the country’s history.
More than 350 people have died in torrential rains that have lashed east Africa since March, and now the region is threatened by a cyclone expected to make landfall at the weekend from the Indian Ocean.
“This cyclone, Hidaya, which could hit us at any time, can bring torrential rains, strong winds and big, dangerous waves,” Ruto told a news conference in Nairobi. “Our country must act quickly and decisively to limit the devastating consequences and protect lives and property,” he added.
After the floods of the previous days, schools were supposed to reopen on Monday, but their opening was postponed indefinitely. All ministers have been directed to help coordinate the evacuation and relocation of Kenyans who will be affected by the extreme weather.
Cyclone Hindaya, which will be accompanied by wind gusts of 165 kilometers per hour, is expected to reach neighboring Tanzania on Saturday, according to the regional meteorological center ICPAC.
Cyclone season in the southwest Indian Ocean is usually from November to April.
Tanzanian authorities earlier warned that Hidaya had strengthened in the early hours of the morning when it was about 400 kilometers from the city of Mtwara.
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