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:Cyclone Kenneth

{{Short description|South-West Indian cyclone in 2019}}

{{other hurricanes|List of storms named Kenneth}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}

{{Use South African English|date=March 2019}}

{{Infobox weather event

| name = Intense Tropical Cyclone Kenneth

| image = Kenneth 2019-04-25 0745Z.jpg

| caption = Cyclone Kenneth at peak intensity approaching Mozambique on 25 April

| formed = 21 April 2019

| dissipated = 29 April 2019

}}{{Infobox weather event/MFR

| winds = 115

| gusts = 160

| pressure = 930

}}{{Infobox weather event/JTWC

| winds = 125

| pressure = 934

}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects

| year = 2019

| fatalities = 52 total

| damage = 345000000

| areas = Seychelles, Comoros, Mayotte, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Malawi

| refs = {{cite web |title=KENNETH : 2019-04-21 TO 2019-04-28 |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/francais/archives/saisons_archivees/20182019/2018RE14.html |publisher=Météo-France La Réunion |access-date=22 July 2023}}

}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer

| season = 2018–19 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season

}}

Intense Tropical Cyclone Kenneth was the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall in Mozambique since modern records began. The cyclone also caused significant damage in the Comoro Islands and Tanzania. The fourteenth tropical storm, record-breaking tenth tropical cyclone, and ninth intense tropical cyclone of the 2018–19 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Kenneth formed from a vortex that the Météo-France office on La Réunion (MFR) first mentioned on 17 April. The MFR monitored the system over the next several days, before designating it as Tropical Disturbance 14 on 21 April. The disturbance was located in a favorable environment to the north of Madagascar, which allowed it to strengthen into a tropical depression and later a tropical storm, both on the next day. The storm then began a period of rapid intensification, ultimately peaking as an intense tropical cyclone with 10-minute sustained winds of {{convert|215|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} and a minimum central pressure of 934 hPa (27.58 inHg). At that time, Kenneth began to undergo an eyewall replacement cycle and weakened slightly, before making landfall later that day as an intense tropical cyclone. As a result of land interaction, Kenneth became disorganised as it made landfall and rapidly degenerated thereafter. The storm then shifted southward, with the MFR cancelling all major warnings for inland cities. Kenneth was reclassified as an overland depression after landfall, with the MFR issuing its warning at midnight UTC on 26 April. Thunderstorm activity developed off the coast of Mozambique on 27 April as the system began drifting northward. Kenneth re-emerged off the coast of northern Mozambique on 28 April, before dissipating on the next day.

In the country of Comoros; Kenneth's wind and rainfall caused at least seven deaths. Damage was estimated at US$345 million. Prior to Kenneth's landfall, local authorities evacuated over 30,000 people in the path of the storm in northern Mozambique. Kenneth killed 45 people in Mozambique.

Meteorological history

{{storm path|Kenneth 2019 track.png}}

On 17 April, the MFR began monitoring a vortex to the north of Madagascar.{{cite report |title=Bulletin for Cyclonic Activity and Significant Tropical Weather in the Southwest Indian Ocean |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/zcit/ZCITA_201904171227.pdf |website=Meteo France La Reunion |access-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423225248/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/zcit/ZCITA_201904171227.pdf |archive-date=23 April 2019 |date=17 April 2019}} The MFR continued to monitor the system over the next several days, noting a significant increase in deep convection on 21 April.{{cite report |title=Bulletin for Cyclonic Activity and Significant Tropical Weather in the Southwest Indian Ocean |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/zcit/ZCITA_201904211237.pdf |website=Meteo France La Reunion |access-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423230325/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/zcit/ZCITA_201904211237.pdf |archive-date=23 April 2019 |date=21 April 2019}} On 22 April at 12:00 UTC, the MFR began issuing advisories on the system, designating it as Tropical Disturbance 14.{{cite report |title=Tropical Disturbance 14: Warning Number 1 |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_201904221200_1_14_20182019.pdf |website=Meteo France la Reunion |access-date=24 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424004630/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_201904221200_1_14_20182019.pdf |archive-date=24 April 2019 |date=22 April 2019}} Soon after, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a tropical cyclone formation alert, noting that the disturbance was located in a favorable environment with low vertical wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures of {{convert|29–30|C|F}}.{{cite report |title=Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (Invest 91S) |url=https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/PGTW/Alphanumeric/Warning/Tropical_cyclone/20190422/143000/A_WTXS21PGTW221430_C_RJTD_20190422141617_42.txt |website=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command |access-date=24 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424004256/https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/PGTW/Alphanumeric/Warning/Tropical_cyclone/20190422/143000/A_WTXS21PGTW221430_C_RJTD_20190422141617_42.txt |archive-date=24 April 2019 |date=22 April 2019}} Early on 23 April, the JTWC began issuing warnings on the system, classifying it as Tropical Cyclone 24S.{{cite report |title=Tropical Cyclone 24S (Twentyfour) Warning 001 |url=https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/PGTW/Alphanumeric/Warning/Tropical_cyclone/20190423/030000/A_WTXS31PGTW230300_C_RJTD_20190423032631_79.txt |website=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command |access-date=24 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423185035/https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/PGTW/Alphanumeric/Warning/Tropical_cyclone/20190423/030000/A_WTXS31PGTW230300_C_RJTD_20190423032631_79.txt |archive-date=23 April 2019 |date=23 April 2019}} A few hours later, the MFR upgraded the system to a tropical depression while it was moving west, under the influence of a low-to-mid-level ridge located to the south.{{cite report |title=Tropical Depression 14: Warning Number 3 |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_201904230600_3_14_20182019.pdf |website=Meteo France la Reunion |access-date=24 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423185642/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_201904230600_3_14_20182019.pdf |archive-date=23 April 2019 |date=23 April 2019}} The MFR upgraded the depression to a moderate tropical storm at 12:00 UTC, assigning the name Kenneth to the storm. At that time, the MFR stated that cloud top temperatures had decreased to {{convert|-90|C|F}} and that the overall organization of the system had improved.{{cite report |title=Moderate Tropical Storm 14 (Kenneth): Warning 4 |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_201904231200_KENNETH.pdf |website=Meteo France la Reunion |access-date=24 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423185903/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_201904231200_KENNETH.pdf |archive-date=23 April 2019 |date=23 April 2019}}

Soon after being named, Kenneth began to rapidly intensify, with the JTWC noting that a formative eye feature had developed.{{cite report |title=Tropical Cyclone 24S (Kenneth) Warning 004 |url=https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/PGTW/Alphanumeric/Warning/Tropical_cyclone/20190423/210000/A_WTXS31PGTW232100_C_RJTD_20190423222530_3.txt |website=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command |access-date=24 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424200836/https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/PGTW/Alphanumeric/Warning/Tropical_cyclone/20190423/210000/A_WTXS31PGTW232100_C_RJTD_20190423222530_3.txt |archive-date=24 April 2019 |date=23 April 2019}} Around 00:00 UTC on 24 April, the MFR upgraded the system to a severe tropical storm.{{cite report |title=Severe Tropical Storm 14 (Kenneth): Warning 6 |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_201904240000_KENNETH.pdf |website=Meteo France la Reunion |access-date=24 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424014638/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_201904240000_KENNETH.pdf |archive-date=24 April 2019 |date=24 April 2019}} A few hours later, the JTWC followed suit, upgrading Kenneth to the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale.{{cite report |title=Tropical Cyclone 24S (Kenneth) Warning 005 |url=https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/PGTW/Alphanumeric/Warning/Tropical_cyclone/20190424/030000/A_WTXS31PGTW240300_C_RJTD_20190424022531_1.txt |website=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command |access-date=24 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424202049/https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/PGTW/Alphanumeric/Warning/Tropical_cyclone/20190424/030000/A_WTXS31PGTW240300_C_RJTD_20190424022531_1.txt |archive-date=24 April 2019 |date=24 April 2019}} At 12:00 UTC, Kenneth was upgraded by the MFR into the record-breaking tenth tropical cyclone of the season. At that time, the MFR stated that an eye was attempting to form within the central dense overcast of the storm, and that wind shear was beginning to decrease.{{cite report |title=Tropical Cyclone 14 (Kenneth): Warning 8 |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_201904241200_KENNETH.pdf |website=Meteo France la Reunion |access-date=24 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424204323/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_201904241200_KENNETH.pdf |archive-date=24 April 2019 |date=24 April 2019}} Around 18:00 UTC, Kenneth strengthened into the equivalent of a Category 3 major hurricane. At that time, the Hahaya International Airport on the Comoros island of Grand Comore reported winds of {{convert|36|kn|km/h mph}} while Kenneth was located about {{convert|55|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the north.{{cite report |title=Tropical Cyclone 24S (Kenneth) Warning 008 |url=https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/PGTW/Alphanumeric/Warning/Tropical_cyclone/20190424/210000/A_WTXS31PGTW242100_C_RJTD_20190424202631_29.txt |website=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command |access-date=24 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424210552/https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/PGTW/Alphanumeric/Warning/Tropical_cyclone/20190424/210000/A_WTXS31PGTW242100_C_RJTD_20190424202631_29.txt |archive-date=24 April 2019 |date=24 April 2019}} Six hours later, the MFR upgraded Kenneth to intense tropical cyclone status, noting that the storm had a very cold convective ring and that the core had become more compact.{{cite report |title=Intense Tropical Cyclone 14 (Kenneth): Warning 10 |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_201904250000_KENNETH.pdf |website=Meteo France la Reunion |access-date=25 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425130422/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_201904250000_KENNETH.pdf |archive-date=25 April 2019 |date=25 April 2019}} On 25 April, at 06:00 UTC, Kenneth reached peak intensity, with 10-minute sustained winds of {{convert|215|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} and a minimum central pressure of 934 hPa (27.58 inHg). At that time, Kenneth had a pinhole eye surrounded by very strong convection; however, the storm also began to undergo an eyewall replacement cycle.{{cite report |title=Intense Tropical Cyclone 14 (Kenneth): Warning 11 |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_201904250600_KENNETH.pdf |website=Meteo France la Reunion |access-date=25 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425131513/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_201904250600_KENNETH.pdf |archive-date=25 April 2019 |date=25 April 2019}} Meanwhile, the JTWC estimated that Kenneth peaked as a Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone, with 1-minute sustained winds of {{convert|230|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.{{cite report |title=Tropical Cyclone 24S (Kenneth) Warning 010 |url=https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/PGTW/Alphanumeric/Warning/Tropical_cyclone/20190425/090000/A_WTXS31PGTW250900_C_RJTD_20190425083818_1.txt |website=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command |access-date=25 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425132413/https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/PGTW/Alphanumeric/Warning/Tropical_cyclone/20190425/090000/A_WTXS31PGTW250900_C_RJTD_20190425083818_1.txt |archive-date=25 April 2019 |date=25 April 2019}} As Kenneth approached the Mozambique coastline, the system slowly began to weaken due to the eyewall replacement cycle and the frictional effects of land interaction. Later that day, at 13:15 UTC, Kenneth made landfall in Mozambique as an intense tropical cyclone, just north of Pemba, with 1-minute sustained winds of {{convert|220|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane. This made Kenneth the most intense landfalling tropical cyclone in the recorded history of Mozambique.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/25/africa/cyclone-kenneth-mozambique-evacuation-intl/index.html|title=Cyclone Kenneth: Thousands evacuated as Mozambique is hit with the strongest storm in its history|author=Brandon Miller|publisher=Cable News Network|date=25 April 2019|access-date=25 April 2019}} This also marked the second time in Mozambique's recorded history in which two storms have made landfall during the same cyclone season at intense tropical cyclone intensity or higher.

File:Kenneth 2019-04-24 1035Z.jpg on 24 April]]

After landfall, Kenneth was re-classified as an overland depression, with 10-minute sustained winds of {{convert|155|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, just below intense tropical cyclone strength. As the storm drifted further inland, it rapidly degenerated.{{cite report |title=Overland Depression 14 (Kenneth): Warning 13 |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/francais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSF_201904251800_KENNETH.pdf |website=Meteo France la Reunion |access-date=26 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426014218/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/francais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSF_201904251800_KENNETH.pdf |archive-date=26 April 2019 |language=fr |date=25 April 2019}} Shortly afterward, the JTWC issued its last warning on the system. Kenneth's central convection had drastically shrunk, with only a small area remaining over land.{{cite report |title=Tropical Cyclone 24S (Kenneth) Warning 012 |url=https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/PGTW/Alphanumeric/Warning/Tropical_cyclone/20190425/210000/A_WTXS31PGTW252100_C_RJTD_20190425202117_1.txt |website=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command |access-date=26 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426015416/https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/PGTW/Alphanumeric/Warning/Tropical_cyclone/20190425/210000/A_WTXS31PGTW252100_C_RJTD_20190425202117_1.txt |archive-date=26 April 2019 |date=25 April 2019}} Despite still being in a favorable atmospheric environment, Kenneth continued to rapidly weaken due to interaction with land. At 00:00 UTC on 26 April, the MFR issued its last warning on Kenneth, reporting 10-minute sustained winds of {{convert|65|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, while the system was located about {{convert|110|km|mi|abbr=on}} inland in Mozambique.{{cite report |title=Overland Depression 14 (Ex-Kenneth): Warning 14 |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_201904260000_EX-KENNETH.pdf |website=Meteo France la Reunion |access-date=26 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426020013/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/cmrs/CMRSA_201904260000_EX-KENNETH.pdf |archive-date=26 April 2019 |date=26 April 2019}} Kenneth continued to weaken, with its winds falling below gale force as it continued its southward motion. On 27 April, thunderstorms developed off the coast of Mozambique, although the center of Kenneth remained over land, as the system began drifting northward.{{cite report |title=Bulletin for Cyclonic Activity and Significant Tropical Weather in the Southwest Indian Ocean |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/zcit/ZCITA_201904271034.pdf |website=Meteo France la Reunion |access-date=27 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427170838/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/zcit/ZCITA_201904271034.pdf |archive-date=27 April 2019 |date=27 April 2019}} On 28 April, Kenneth emerged off the coast of northern Mozambique, but continued to weaken due to unfavorable conditions. Subsequently, Kenneth dissipated by 12:00 UTC on 29 April.{{cite report |title=Bulletin for Cyclonic Activity and Significant Tropical Weather in the Southwest Indian Ocean |url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/zcit/ZCITA_201904291056.pdf |website=Meteo France la Reunion |access-date=30 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430210109/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/activiteope/bulletins/zcit/ZCITA_201904291056.pdf |archive-date=30 April 2019 |date=29 April 2019}}

Preparations and impact

{{Costliest South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclones|align=left}}

Overall, Kenneth killed at least 52 people and damage is estimated to be at least US$345 million.{{cite web |last1=Nhundu |first1=Kenneth |last2=Sibanda |first2=Melusi |last3=Chaminuka |first3=Petronella |title=Economic Losses from Cyclones Idai and Kenneth and Floods in Southern Africa: Implications on Sustainable Development Goals |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354906194_Economic_Losses_from_Cyclones_Idai_and_Kenneth_and_Floods_in_Southern_Africa_Implications_on_Sustainable_Development_Goals#:~:text=Idai%20caused%20economic%20costs%20of,the%20costs%20exceeded%20%2445%20million. |website=Research Gate |publisher=Springer Nature |access-date=26 February 2023}}{{cite report |title=Global Catastrophe Recap April 2019 |url=http://thoughtleadership.aonbenfield.com/Documents/20190508-analytics-if-april-global-recap.pdf |website=AON Benfield |access-date=17 May 2019 |archive-date=9 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509143746/http://thoughtleadership.aonbenfield.com/Documents/20190508-analytics-if-april-global-recap.pdf |url-status=dead }}

In the country of Comoros, Kenneth's winds and rains killed at least seven people and injured more than 200 others. Preliminary estimates state that approximately 60–80% of staple crops were destroyed.{{cite web |title=Comoros: Humanitarian Situation Report No #2 - Cyclone Kenneth |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/comoros/comoros-humanitarian-situation-report-no-2-cyclone-kenneth |website=Relief Web |publisher=UN Children's Fund |access-date=28 April 2019 |date=25 April 2019}} Damage was estimated at CF81.7 billion (US$186 million), equivalent to 16% of the country's GDP.{{cite report|title=Quarterly bulletin of the Central Bank of Comoros|language=French|publisher=Bank of Comoros|accessdate=July 25, 2021|date=June 23, 2019|url=http://www.banque-comores.km/DOCUMENTS/Bulletin_BCC_n23_Juin_2019.pdf|page=15}}{{cite web |author=International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics |title=DEC alternative conversion factor (LCU per US$) - Comoros |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/PA.NUS.ATLS?locations=KM |publisher=World Bank |access-date=July 11, 2024 |year=2024}}

Kenneth struck Mozambique about a month after Cyclone Idai had devastated the northern part of the country, raising fears that the ongoing humanitarian crisis there could be worsened by the storm.{{cite web|url=https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2019-04-24-tropical-cyclone-kenneth-forecast-mozambique|title=Tropical Cyclone Kenneth to Bring Feet of Rain, Damaging Winds to Mozambique Weeks After Idai Brings Humanitarian Crisis|author=Jonathan Belles|publisher=The Weather Company|date=24 April 2019|access-date=24 April 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/24/africa/storm-kenneth-mozambique-intl/index.html|title=Another tropical cyclone is taking aim at storm-wrecked Mozambique|author1=Brandon Miller|author2=Bukola Adebayo|publisher=Cable News Network|date=24 April 2019|access-date=24 April 2019}} Local authorities in northern Mozambique evacuated more than 30,000 people ahead of the storm, given the expected impacts.{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/04/cyclone-kenneth-begins-landfall-northern-mozambique-190425182138888.html|title=Tens of thousands evacuated as Cyclone Kenneth hits Mozambique|publisher=Al-Jazeera News|date=25 April 2019|access-date=25 April 2019}}

Cyclone Kenneth made landfall just north of Pemba, Mozambique on Thursday evening, 25 April, at about 4:15 p.m., local time (12:15 UTC), with 1-minute sustained winds of {{convert|220|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. The IFRC reported widespread damage in the city, with power outages recorded throughout the city and numerous trees felled, which caused even more damage. In Mozambique, a total of 45 people were killed,{{cite web |title=Southern Africa: Tropical Cyclone Kenneth Flash Update No. 13 (12 May 2019) |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/southern-africa-tropical-cyclone-kenneth-flash-update-no-13-12-may-2019 |website=Relief Web |publisher=UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs |access-date=14 May 2019}} including a woman who was killed by a falling coconut tree near Pemba.{{cite web |title=First death as Cyclone Kenneth hits Mozambique |url=https://www.rappler.com/world/regions/africa/229071-death-toll-cyclone-kenneth-mozambique-april-2019 |website=Rappler |access-date=26 April 2019 |date=26 April 2019}} Additionally, four ships sank off the coast of the town of Palma.{{cite web |last1=Anna |first1=Cara |title=New cyclone kills 3 in Mozambique; UN warns of flooding |url=https://www.apnews.com/287b739f11634b47b9f35f231ea02fa0 |website=AP News |access-date=26 April 2019 |date=26 April 2019}} On Ibo Island, it was reported that 90% of the homes were destroyed. In Cabo Delgado Province, 2,500 homes were destroyed with multiple schools and hospitals also sustaining damage.{{cite web |last1=Aaro |first1=David |title=Cyclone Kenneth roars through Mozambique, kills at least 5 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/cyclone-kenneth-roars-through-mozambique-kills-at-least-5 |website=Fox News |publisher=Fox News Network |access-date=28 April 2019 |date=27 April 2019}}

Aftermath

After the storm, the European Union released €1.5 million (US$1.7 million) as an immediate assistance for those being affected by the cyclone in Mozambique and Comoros.{{cite press release|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-19-2297_en.htm|title=EU releases €1.5 million in immediate assistance after cyclone Kenneth hits Mozambique and Comoros|publisher=EUROPA|date=26 April 2019|access-date=29 April 2019}} The United Nations provided an emergency aid of $13 million to Mozambique and Comoros, which can help provide food and water, as well as repair the damaged infrastructure.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/africa-cyclone/united-nations-gives-mozambique-13-million-for-cyclone-kenneth-damage-idUSL5N22B0O4|title=United Nations gives Mozambique $13 million for Cyclone Kenneth damage|publisher=Reuters|date=29 April 2019|access-date=29 April 2019}} The storm also resulted in a temporary reduction of violence amid the Islamist insurgency in Mozambique, though rebel attacks resumed in May 2019.{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/mozambique-islamists-step-attacks-cyclone-033902092.html?guccounter=1 |title=Mozambique islamists step up attacks after cyclone |author=Joaquim Nhamirre |work=AFP |date=29 May 2019 |access-date=16 June 2019}}

See also

{{Portal|Tropical cyclones|Africa}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

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  • [http://www.meteofrance.re/cyclone/saisons-passees/2018_2019/dirre/KENNETH MFR Track Data] of Intense Tropical Cyclone Kenneth {{in lang|fr}}
  • [http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/tcdat/tc19/SHEM/24S.KENNETH/ 24S.KENNETH] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423230426/https://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/tcdat/tc19/SHEM/24S.KENNETH/ |date=23 April 2019 }} from the United States Naval Research Laboratory

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Category:2019 in the Comoros

Category:2019 in Madagascar

Category:2019 in Mayotte

Category:2019 in Mozambique

Category:2019 in Seychelles

Category:2019 in Tanzania

Category:April 2019 in Africa

Category:2018–19 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season

Category:Tropical cyclones in 2019

Category:Cyclones in the Comoros

Category:Cyclones in Madagascar

Category:Cyclones in Mayotte

Category:Cyclones in Mozambique

Category:Cyclones in Seychelles

Category:Natural disasters in Tanzania