Tropical Cyclone Hidaya to hit Indian Ocean east of Tanzania
Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) has said that starting tonight, May 2, 2024, the country expects to experience a cyclone called ‘Hidaya’ due to low pressure (bad system), which is associated with strong winds and heavy rainfall.
A former tropical depression over the South Indian Ocean north-northeast of Comoros strengthened on Wednesday, and Meteo France La Reunion designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Hidaya.
TMA said in a statement that the trend of marine weather systems indicates a high probability of cyclone Hidaya approaching very close to the coast of the country on May 2 and persisting until May 6, 2024.
However, the hurricane is expected to weaken after May 6.
This weather alert comes after TMA issued a statement yesterday, May 1, 2024, that there will be the presence of a minor low pressure system in the eastern Indian Ocean off the coast of Mtwara.
The low pressure has continued to intensify and has become a moderate tropical cyclone named Hidaya, with sustained winds of about 506 kilometers east of the Mtwara coast.
“The presence of ‘Hidaya’ near our country's coast is expected to dominate and affect the weather systems of the country, including causing periods of heavy rain and strong winds in some regions of the Mtwara, Lindi, and Pwani (including the Mafia Islands). Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Morogoro, Ugunja, and Pemba regions and neighboring areas, especially on May 3, 2024, for the southern coastal areas (Lindi and Mtwara) and spreading to other coastal areas from May 4 to 6, 2024,” reads part of the statement.
TMA further urged residents in the mentioned areas and all those involved in various marine activities to take precautions, continue to follow and adhere to weather forecasts, and seek advice and guidance from experts in the relevant sectors to mitigate any potential impacts.
The authority (TMA) will continue to monitor the progress of HIDAYA and its effects on the weather systems in the country and will continue to provide updates as necessary.
