The Kenya Red Cross has urged residents at the coastal strip to exercise caution as strong winds occasioned by Tropical Storm IALY have started manifesting in most parts.
A wind forecast by the Meteorological department indicates that the winds might pose a hazard to marine operations and coastal activities.
Red Cross said in a brief Tuesday afternoon that the strong winds caused havoc in the Majajani area of Kilifi county where they blew off the roof of a residential house.
“Electric posts in Casuarina, Olimpia, Madunguni in Malindi and Garashi in Magarini, Kilifi county, fell, while two posts in Jilore Trading Centre caught fire,” Red Cross said.
“No casualties have been reported so far. We continue to urge extra caution.”
Information provided by the Met Office Storms of the UK indicates that Tropical IALY is passing closer to the Kenyan coast than any previous tropical storms in history as the storm heads northwards on its unusual track.
The office, however, said Tropical IALY was unlikely to make windfall at the coastal strip.
In its forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, the Kenya Meteorological Department said the strong winds are forecasted for the eastern half of the country.
The department issued another marine update for May 21-27 and advised small boats and crafts to avoid deep-sea areas saying there will be “moderate to strong sea conditions”.
“As a result of tropical storm IALY, expect south-easterly winds at 10-30 knots over Kenya waters. Wave heights will range from 1.5 to 3.6m,” the Met department said.
Director David Gikungu said winds in the range of 1-7 knots will render the ocean relatively calm with very little disturbance and the waters will still be suitable for marine activities.
He, however, said caution should be exercised when carrying out marine activities if the winds hit speeds of between 7-21 knots causing gentle breeze to fresh breeze.
“Small boats are likely to be filled with water sprays and become unstable,” he said.
Gikunda warned that wind speeds of between 22 to over 34 knots characterized by strong breeze to extremely strong breezes will render the ocean “very much disturbed and the prevailing conditions are dangerous for marine operations”.
