The World Meteorological Organization has issued a warning about Tropical Cyclone Hidaya, which is poised to hit Tanzania and Kenya, exacerbating the existing humanitarian crisis caused by heavy rains in several East African countries.
“Hidaya is the first confirmed tropical cyclone in this region, not Sudan, but lower and East Africa,” explained WMO spokesperson Clare Nullis in Geneva on Friday.
Hidaya’s impact will be significant, especially in Tanzania, where the ground is already saturated. Kenya will also be affected by the moisture from the cyclone, worsening the existing flood situation in the country, exacerbated by climate change.
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Despite El Nino fading, its effects are still causing heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides in East Africa, with over 400 reported fatalities so far. The damage to infrastructure is extensive, with thousands displaced across five countries.
Kenyan President William Ruto addressed the nation, acknowledging the severity of the situation and the expected escalation in the coming weeks. The UNHCR is particularly concerned about the welfare of refugees, many of whom have been displaced by rising water levels.
Climate change is rendering parts of East Africa uninhabitable, with increasingly severe natural disasters affecting vulnerable populations. Early warning systems are crucial in mitigating the impacts of such events, but more support is needed for vulnerable communities.
The importance of providing funding to vulnerable populations and host communities cannot be understated, enabling them to adapt to the new reality of climate change.