The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has issued an alert over Cyclone Chenge, a weakening low-pressure system currently over the southwest Indian Ocean.
Chenge (Residual Depression) refers to a weakening tropical system that was once a stronger cyclone.
It is the remnant of a tropical cyclone that has lost much of its energy and structure but still has a low-pressure centre capable of causing heavy rain, cloudy conditions, and gusty winds.
Although the system has lost much of its strength and is now classified as a residual depression, its proximity to the coast could still influence weather conditions over southern coastal Kenya and northern Tanzania early in the week.
KMD says Chenge, located about 500 kilometres north of Madagascar, continues to weaken as it moves westward across the northern Mozambique Channel.
The system, which originated as a low-pressure area, has sustained winds of about 55 km/h and gusts of up to 75 km/h as it drifts toward the East African coast.
Despite weakening, the department warns of heavy rainfall over several parts of the country and strong winds exceeding 25 knots along the south coast on Monday and Tuesday as the system dissipates.
Residents, especially those in coastal regions and marine operators, have been urged to stay alert, follow official updates, and take necessary safety measures.
According to KMD, a residual depression marks the final stage of a tropical cyclone’s life cycle. It forms when a mature storm loses its energy, often after making landfall or moving into cooler waters, leaving behind a weak low-pressure centre that can still cause unsettled weather.
Such systems are typically associated with low wind speeds, widespread cloudiness, and light to moderate rainfall.
While residual depressions rarely pose major wind hazards, they can bring prolonged rainfall and flooding, particularly if they merge with other weather systems like the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
KMD notes that similar systems have occasionally been observed over East Africa after tropical storms weaken over the Indian Ocean.
Fishermen and marine operators have been specifically cautioned about rough seas and strong gusts along the Indian Ocean coastline.
The department also reports that the island of Mayotte is not under cyclone alert but may experience swells of up to two metres between Sunday and Monday.
In summary, while Cyclone Chenge continues to weaken, it remains active enough to influence coastal weather patterns, underscoring the need for continued vigilance across Kenya’s southern coast.
On October 26, Met said Chenge, a weakening system over the SW Indian Ocean, was moving west at 11 km/h about 500 km north of Madagascar with winds of 55 km/h, gusts up to 75 km/h, and pressure near 1000 hPa.
It was expected to dissipate near the Tanzania–Kenya coast by Tuesday, and heavy rains were likely over several parts of the country with strong coastal winds exceeding 25 knots.
