Cyclone Hidaya: Settlers on Kenyan coast ordered to evacuate immediately

Human settlers along the Kenyan Coast shoreline have been ordered to immediately evacuate, to avert the potential effects of Cyclone Hidaya.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, in a circular dated Saturday, May 4, directed the Kenya Coast Guard Service to effect the evacuations from today at 5.00 pm until Monday, May 6.

“The County Security and Intelligence Committees (CSICs) of Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, and Lamu counties in collaboration with the Kenya Coast Guard Service(KCGS) are directed to immediately evacuate settlements deemed too close to the shoreline effective today, May 4 at 5.00 pm up to and until midnight on Monday, May 6, 2024, when Cyclone Hidaya is expected to expire,” stated Kindiki.

Additionally, KCGS is to also impose a ban on beach activities including swimming and fishing.

This comes hours after the Kenya Meteorological Department (Kenya MET) confirmed that Cyclone Hidaya had made landfall on the Tanzanian Coast.

The weathermen warned of heavy rains and strong winds on the Kenyan Coast as an effect of the cyclone, which will likely be experienced from Sunday, May 5 to Tuesday, May 7.

“Residents, particularly in coastal regions and individuals involved in marine activities in the Indian Ocean are encouraged to take extra caution,” said Kenya MET.

Meanwhile, the government has set up at least 138 camps in eighteen (18) counties to provide shelter for displaced persons due to the floods.

Kindiki said the lists of the camps can be assessed at chiefs, county, and deputy county commissioners’ offices across the 18 counties.

Similarly, security agencies have been directed to ensure the smooth evacuation and relocation of the affected persons, “in a humane manner.”