Cyclone Hidaya weakens as authorities lay bare disaster relief plans
What you need to know:
- On Friday, May 3, 2024, TMA urged residents in coastal regions to exercise utmost caution in light of the heightened intensity of Cyclone Hidaya.
Mtwara/Lindi. Weather system analysis of the Indian Ocean shows that there is a probability of Cyclone Hidaya slightly decreasing its strength in the next 12 hours as it moves closer to the Tanzanian coast.
The Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) report of early Saturday, May 4, 2024, indicates that until 9pm on Friday the cyclone Hidaya was located in the sea approximately 125 kilometres from the coast of Kilwa (Lindi Region), 93 kilometres from the coast of Mafia, and 128 kilometres from the coast of Dar es Salaam.
According to TMA, the cyclone had an air pressure of about 985 hPa and wind speeds reaching 120 kilometres per hour. This condition has resulted in periods of heavy rain and strong winds continuing to occur.
Reports from the southern regions show that Mtwara and Lindi have started experiencing persistent fog, rainfall, and storms, which are part of the forecasted effects of Cyclone Hidaya.
The situation, coupled with the cautions provided by TMA, has forced fishermen to suspend their activities, leading to serious price hikes for marine products, including fish.
On Friday, May 3, 2024, TMA urged residents in coastal regions to exercise utmost caution in light of the heightened intensity of Cyclone Hidaya.
The caution also goes to all those involved in maritime activities in the ocean and other nearby water bodies.
The authority has also advised Tanzanians to continue monitoring and heeding weather forecasts as well as precautionary information from the weatherman.
Cyclone Hidaya occurs due to low pressure, 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 the Tropical Cyclone Committee (TCC) of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Hidaya.
Cyclone Hidaya disrupts Dar es Salaam-Zanzibar Ferry Service. passengers impacted. PHOTO | THE CITIZEN CORRESPONDENT
A TMA statement issued on Friday, May 3, 2024, says that Cyclone Hidaya shows a slight weakening trend, noting that the storm is expected to continue until May 5, 2024, and weaken after May 5, 2024.
According to TMA, the presence of Cyclone Hidaya near Tanzania’s coast is expected to dominate and affect the weather patterns, causing periods of heavy rains and strong winds in some regions.
The regions include Mtwara, Lindi, Coast (including the island of Mafia), Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Morogoro, the islands of Unguja and Pemba, as well as surrounding areas.
“Periods of rain and strong winds exceeding 40 km/hr have been observed in some parts of Lindi and Mtwara consistently until 3 p.m. this afternoon,” reads the statement issued at 3 p.m on Friday, May 3.
“Even though Cyclone ‘Hidaya’ shows a slight weakening trend, clouds within the spiral bands are expected to trigger heavy rains and strong winds in some areas along the coastal belt on May 4 and 5, 2024,” the statement says.
Fishmongers increase prices
However, a study conducted by The Citizen in some parts of the coast revealed that fish that were normally traded at Sh10,000 were now sold at Sh30,000.
Mtwara Mikindani Municipality Fish Market Chairman, Mr Sheha Shamte, said in response to the issued cautions about the cyclone, most fishermen have suspended their operations over safety concerns.
"We are still monitoring the situation. On normal days, we used to sell a bucket of sardines for Sh20,000, but today, the price has skyrocketed to Sh30,000," he said.
His colleague, Mr Athumani Ramadhani, said they have stopped other fishermen from carrying out their activities due to the trust they have in TMA.
Empty nets: Cyclone Hidaya disrupts fishing in Mtwara. PHOTO | Bahati Mwatesa
Mtwara Regional Commissioner, Colonel Patrick Sawala, said the regional disaster relief committee has undertaken a comprehensive tour across various locales to gauge the level of adherence among citizens to the forecasts provided by TMA concerning Cyclone Hidaya.
"At the ferry, we have encouraged fishermen who have suspended their activities to be patient and monitor weather reports to avoid devastating catastrophes," Mr Sawala said.
He urged citizens to take precautions, including avoiding seeking shelter under the trees. The relief committee is prepared to deal with any eventuality,” he added.
The Minister for State in the Prime Minister's Office (Policy Parliamentary Affairs, Labour, Employment, Youth, and the Disabled), Jenista Mhagama, told the Parliament in Dodoma that the government has directed regional authorities to continue taking precautionary measures.
She urged institutions spanning from regional administrative bodies down to the grassroots levels, including districts, wards, villages, and neighbourhoods, to persist in their vigilance by diligently adhering to precautionary measures and closely monitoring the updates disseminated by TMA.
“Most importantly, we ask clergymen and the general public to pray to God to rescue the country from this catastrophe as TMA continues to monitor and provide updates every three hours,” she added.
(Reported by Hellen Nachilongo, Jacob Mosenda (Dar), Florence Sanawa (Mtwara), and Bahati Mwatesa (Lindi))
