Tanzania is preparing itself for what could be the most powerful tropical cyclone ever recorded in the region as it battles devastating floods that have already claimed at least 155 lives since March. Tropical Cyclone Hidaya, currently classified as a Category 1 hurricane with top sustained winds of 85 mph, is expected to bring torrential rains of over 10 inches along its path.

Located about 210 miles east-southeast of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's capital, Hidaya is forecasted to make landfall just south of the city on Saturday night local time. While the storm is anticipated to weaken due to factors like dry air and moderate wind shear, it still poses a significant threat, with the potential to maintain tropical storm strength upon landfall.

The approaching cyclone brings further concern as heavy rains from Hidaya could exacerbate the already dire situation caused by prolonged floods in Kenya, Tanzania, and Somalia. Since April, these floods have claimed the lives of 476 people, with Kenya reporting the highest death toll of 181, followed by Tanzania with 155 fatalities and seven in Somalia. Poor urban planning and land management are said to have played a role in the severity of the floods, according to a hydrology consultant.

Africa has experienced an alarming increase in deadly weather-related disasters over the past two years, with a staggering 23% of the continent's 30 deadliest events since 1900 occurring during this period. Climate change has been identified as a contributing factor in four of these disasters between 2021 and 2023, highlighting the urgent need for climate action.

The significance of Cyclone Hidaya lies not only in its potential impact but also in its rarity. Historical records indicate that Tanzanian coastlines have witnessed only minimal-strength tropical storms, with sustained winds not exceeding 40 mph. Should Hidaya maintain its current strength, it will go down in history as Tanzania's strongest tropical cyclone landfall.

Tanzania's susceptibility to tropical cyclones is limited due to its proximity to the equator. The most recent cyclone to make landfall was Tropical Cyclone Jobo in April 2021, resulting in 22 deaths. The last significant storm, dating back to 1952, approached with potentially hurricane-strength winds.

The current flooding in Tanzania is a consequence of the ongoing longer wet season, which typically lasts from March to May. Lasting impacts from the previous shorter wet season, intensified by El Niño events in 2023, have already caused devastating flooding in the region, with at least 89 fatalities reported from October to early December.

As Tanzania braces for Cyclone Hidaya, the worst impacts are expected to affect the southern parts of the country and northern Mozambique, particularly the Rufiji district. This area has already been severely affected by recent rains and floods, leaving tens of thousands of people in desperate need of essential supplies such as food, shelter, water, and healthcare.

The approaching cyclone comes near the end of a less-active-than-usual year for tropical cyclone activity across the Southern Hemisphere. As per real-time statistics from Colorado State University, the accumulated cyclone energy for the current climatological year is only around 75% of the long-term average. The strongest cyclone of the season so far has been Djoungou, which peaked as a Category 4-equivalent storm with top sustained winds of 130 mph in the South Indian Ocean.

The situation in Tanzania remains critical as the country braves the arrival of a potentially historic cyclone. Urgent measures are necessary to protect lives and provide aid to the affected areas, highlighting the need for increased resilience and adaptation in the face of climate change.