By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
The Kenya Red Cross Society has reported what it has described as extremely strong winds in various parts of the coastal region.
According to the humanitarian agency, the winds are as a result of Tropical Storm IALY.
In an update on its social media pages, the Kenya Red Cross said the winds had already blown off the roof of a residential house in Kilifi County.
Kenya Power electric posts also fell down due to the winds in several parts of the county which led to two of them catching fire.
However, no casualties have been reported so far.
“Extremely strong winds have been reported in various coastal areas of Kenya due to Tropical Storm IALY. In the Majajani area of Kilifi County, strong winds blew off the roof of a residential house,” Kenya Red Cross said.
“Electric posts in Casuarina, Olimpia, Madunguni in Malindi and Garashi in Magarini, Kilifi County, fell down, while two posts in Jilore Trading Centre caught fire. No casualties have been reported so far,” it added.
The agency further said they will continue to monitor the situation even as they asked locals in the Coastal region to exercise extra caution.
Earlier, operators of small boats and crafts in the Coastal region had been urged to keep off deep-sea areas.
The Kenya Meteorological Department, in a marine forecast valid from Tuesday, May 21 2024 to Monday, May 27 2024 had warned of moderate to strong sea conditions as a result of tropical storm IALY.
“Strong southerly winds are anticipated over the eastern sector of the country. Heavy rainfall off the coast of Kenya may occasionally propagate inland,” the Kenya Met said.
In addition, the weatherman predicted that heavy rainfall will pound several parts of Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley, Highlands West and East of Rift Valley including Nairobi on Monday and Tuesday.
“The heavy rainfall is predicted to intensify to more than 40mm in 24 hours over the Rift Valley, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi area, Lake Victoria Basin and off the coast on May 20-21, 2024,” it said.