DAR ES SALAAM, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's weather authorities on Monday issued a warning for periods of strong winds exceeding 40 kilometers per hour and waves exceeding 2 meters in the Indian Ocean, triggered by the presence of a moderate tropical storm called Ialy north of Madagascar Island.
The Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) warned that strong winds and large waves are expected to last three days from Sunday to Tuesday, adding that rain periods are likely to be observed over the coastal areas, particularly between Tuesday and Wednesday.
The TMA told Xinhua that an analysis of the weather systems showed that the moderate tropical storm has strengthened to a severe tropical storm and remains in the Indian Ocean as previously forecast. The TMA will continue to monitor the progress of the storm and its impact on the country's weather systems, and will continue to provide information as necessary and appropriate.
On May 17, TMA issued an alert for Tropical Storm Ialy in the northern Indian Ocean, north of Madagascar Island.
TMA issued the alert as Tanzanians still have memories of Tropical Cyclone Hidaya, which killed two people and damaged roads, bridges, houses, and farm crops hours before losing its strength after making landfall on Mafia Island in southern Tanzania in early May. ■