Kenyans living along the Indian Ocean coastline have been placed on high alert after the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) issued a warning over Tropical Storm Chenge, a weakening but still potent system currently drifting toward the Kenya-Tanzania coast.
According to the alert released on Sunday morning, Chenge was positioned approximately 500 kilometres north of Madagascar and moving westward at a speed of 11 kilometres per hour, with winds clocking 55 km/h and gusts of up to 75 km/h.
“Chenge, a weakening system over the southwest Indian Ocean, is 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,” said the KMD in its statement.
While meteorologists assured that the storm is gradually losing strength as it approaches the mainland, they cautioned that Chenge still carries enough moisture and energy to trigger heavy rains, powerful winds, and high sea waves along the Kenya-Tanzania coastline.
Coastal Counties on Alert
Counties including Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, and Malindi have been urged to brace for intense downpours and winds exceeding 25 knots, conditions that could lead to flooding, particularly in low-lying or poorly drained areas.
The KMD warned that marine activities could become perilous, advising fishermen and small boat operators to stay off the ocean until the storm subsides.
“Heavy rains are likely over several parts of the country with strong coastal winds exceeding 25 knots. Chenge is expected to dissipate near the Tanzania–Kenya coast by Tuesday,” the department stated.
Even as the storm weakens, its remnants are projected to linger in the region, influencing weather patterns and bringing cloudy skies and scattered showers to parts of Kwale, Taita Taveta, and Tana River counties in the days that follow.
Meteorologists are urging residents to stay vigilant, avoid flood-prone areas, and heed updates from local authorities as the system moves inland.
Chenge, which began as a low-pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean, has been under close observation for days amid fears that it could escalate into a full-blown tropical cyclone. Fortunately, data suggests it will dissipate before reaching that level of intensity.
As Kenya’s coastal belt braces for the storm’s impact, authorities have reiterated the importance of early preparation and public awareness, noting that even a weakening tropical system can cause destructive flooding, property damage, and loss of life if safety measures are ignored.
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