This archive report was first published on 4 October 2019.
Kenya and Tanzania Hit by Unusually Strong Winds ¶
Unusually strong winds have hit Kenya and Tanzania, resulting in deaths, power outages, and damaged houses. The strong winds have also caused dust storms and uprooted trees.
According to Dr. Saji N.Hameed, a Professor at Japan's University of Aizu, the current weather pattern is linked to the strongest Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) on record. The IOD is a phenomenon that occurs every 10 years and is associated with higher monsoon rainfall in India.
Dr. Hameed warns that the IOD could have devastating effects around the world, including in Kenya and Tanzania. In Kenya, the IOD is expected to lead to extreme rainfall from October to December.
On Tuesday, a windstorm emanated from the Indian Ocean and will continue for the next four days, according to the Kenya Meteorological Department. The system is characterized by strong South easterly winds of about 15-20 Knots, updraft and downdraft winds with heavy convective rains.
As global temperatures continue to spiral upwards, East Africa is expected to experience increased frequency of extreme weather, according to the Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC).
On September 25, 2019, the Tanzania Meteorological Authority tweeted: 'Strong winds and large waves.' The tweet included a video of the strong winds and large waves.
