Tanzania lifts alert as cyclone Hidaya lost strength

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) has now lifted alert on the cyclone which has now lost strength after making landfall at Mafia in the Indian Ocean on Saturday.

The weatherman said in a statement released last night that the Tropical Cyclone named Hidaya is no longer a threat to the East African country was recently heat by floods have claimed 155 lives so far.

 "The trend and patterns of weather systems indicates that in the past 6 hours, Tropical Cyclone Hidaya has completely lost its strength following its landfall at Mafia Island earlier," TMA said in the statement which concluded a series of information on the cyclone.

“In addition, the remnants of the rain clouds that accompanied the cyclone have been observed to weaken and spreading out in various areas of the southern region of our country, particularly in Lindi, Mtwara, Morogoro and neighboring areas,” it stated, adding that periods of normal Masika rains are expected to continue in some areas, especially over the Lake Victoria basin, North-eastern highlands and Northern coast.

According to the statement, the public is advised to continue making close follow-up, consider and effectively utilise forecast and early warning information from the weather agency as well as advice and guidance issued by the relevant authorities.

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya had triggered heavy rains and winds as it rolled towards Tanzania and neighbouring Kenya, countries already battered by torrential downpours and floods that have left more than 400 people dead across East Africa in recent weeks.

At least 155 people have died in Tanzania as heavier-than-usual torrential rains linked to the El Nino weather pattern triggered floods and landslides last month, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said recently.

In neighbouring Kenya, which had also taken precautions for the cyclone, a total of 210 people have been killed in flood-related incidents.

Marine transport resumes

After the TMA statement that the weather has calmed down, the Zanzibar Maritime Authority (ZMA) allowed the marine transportation services to resume starting today.

The agency suspended ships and boats from operating to Unguja, Dar es Salaam, Pemba and Tanga on Saturday due to strong winds that were caused by the cyclone Hidaya.

Speaking to Mwananchi Digital today, May 5, 2004, the Director of the Zanzibar Maritime Transport Authority (ZMA), Sheikha Ahmed Moh'd, said that after ensuring the calmness of the weather, they have allowed the journeys to continue.

"We were still assessing the situation, but now we have seen that it has calmed down, and we have allowed the journeys to continue as usual. So, there is a boat going to Dar es Salaam, and a ship is leaving for Pemba," said ZMA director general, Ms Sheikha Ahmed Mohamed.

She said the agency would continue to closely monitor the weather conditions so that it can take quick action in case of any changes.

Some passengers started flocking to the port for travelling some of them were still afraid.

Enock Isaya is one of the passengers who said that despite traveling, he is still afraid because of the changes that may occur.

"There is no way but to travel, although I’m not that comfortable because precautions are still being taken," he said.