DAR ES SALAAM, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The government of Tanzania on Thursday directed authorities in southern regions to suspend air and marine transport in the Indian Ocean as precaution measures against the impending landfall of Cyclone Kenneth.
Jenista Mhagama, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office responsible for Policy, Parliamentary Affairs, Labor, Employment, Youth and the Disabled, made the directive in the National Assembly in the capital Dodoma.
"Authorities in southern regions of Mtwara, Lindi and Ruvuma should also suspend fishing activities in the ocean pending weather updates from relevant weather agencies," she told the august House.
Mhagama also directed authorities to shift people from coastal areas of the Indian Ocean to avoid catastrophic situations.
She said disaster management committees in the three regions should be on alert and advise residents in the areas accordingly.
On Thursday, Mtwara region authorities directed that schools and offices remain closed after the country's weather agency reported the landfall Cyclone Kenneth.
Gelasius Byakanwa, Mtwara regional commissioner, said the decision was aimed at ensuring the safety of people in the southern region.
All schools and offices should remain closed except that hospitals and other centers providing medical services should remain open, added the official.
On Wednesday, the Tanzania Meteorological Agency warned of looming floods, mudslides and destruction of property and crops in the southern regions of Lindi, Mtwara and Ruvuma due to heavy rains expected from the tropical cyclone forecasted to hit the areas.
