TAG: GS 1: GEOGRAPHY
THE CONTEXT: The impending landfall of Cyclone Hidaya in Tanzania, accompanied by President’s alert for Kenya, underscores the unprecedented threat posed by tropical cyclones to East Africa.
EXPLANATION:
- While Kenya has historically been considered safe from such storms, the changing climate landscape challenges this notion, necessitating heightened preparedness and response measures.
Tanzania’s Preparedness and Response
- The Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) has issued severe warnings and advisories, emphasizing heavy rain and strong winds in vulnerable areas.
- With Hidaya’s trajectory shifting closer to the Tanzanian coast, prompt evacuation and emergency measures are crucial to minimize the storm’s impact on lives and property.
- While Kenya lies within latitudes considered safe from cyclones, evolving weather patterns challenge conventional assumptions, warranting proactive measures and preparedness.
International Response and Cooperation
- The international community, including the United States Embassy in Kenya and meteorological agencies worldwide, has mobilized to provide timely warnings and assistance.
- The collaborative efforts aim to mitigate the cyclone’s adverse effects, including heavy rainfall, flooding, road closures, and dangerous boating conditions.
- The emergence of Cyclone Hidaya highlights the broader implications of climate change for East Africa.
- As extreme weather events become more frequent and intense, the region must adapt its infrastructure, policies, and disaster management strategies to safeguard lives and livelihoods.
East Africa
Cyclone Hidaya: Meteorological Dynamics
- Cyclone Hidaya, named for its Arabic and Swahili meanings of “Guidance” and “Gift,” respectively.
- It has emerged as a severe storm over the South Indian Ocean, menacing the Tanzanian coast near Dar es Salaam.
- With maximum significant wave heights reaching 7.9 meters and wind speeds forecasted to peak at 165 km/h, its impact is expected to be substantial, particularly in regions like Mtwara, Lindi, and Pwani.
Cyclones:
- Cyclones are large air masses that rotate around a center of low atmospheric pressure.
- In the Northern Hemisphere, they rotate counterclockwise, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they rotate clockwise.
- Cyclones are characterized by inward-spiraling winds that rotate about a zone of low pressure.
- Cyclones form in low-pressure areas due to various factors like warm sea temperatures, atmospheric instability, and convection with condensation.
- The vulnerability of the area where a cyclone strikes depends on factors like topography, intensity, and frequency of cyclones.
- Types of Cyclones:
- Tropical Cyclones: These are rapidly rotating storm systems with a low-pressure center, strong winds, and heavy rainfall. Depending on their location and strength, they are known as hurricanes, typhoons, or cyclones.
- Polar Cyclones: Also known as “Arctic hurricanes,” these cyclones are formed over the Arctic and Antarctic seas, transferring heat from water to air4.
- Mesocyclones: Strong thunderstorms with rotating air within the convective storm, found within a vortex of air. They are accompanied by rotating air within the thunderstorm4.
- Extratropical Cyclones: These cyclones are formed in the middle latitudes along frontal boundaries, characterized by weaker winds but sharp temperature gradients. An example is the nor’easter impacting the east coast of the United States4.