Amidst ongoing heavy rains across Kenya, the Kenya Meteorological Department has moved to dispel rumors of a cyclone hitting the country. On Tuesday, April 23, the department dismissed speculations circulating on social media regarding the occurrence of a cyclone in the region.

Referencing its initial assessment on cyclones, the meteorological department emphasized the improbability of such an event near the equator due to the laws of physics.

"Cyclones cannot come this close to the equator," stated Kenya Met, reaffirming its position.

Responding to concerns raised on social media regarding the intensity of the rainfall, the department clarified the nature of cyclones as violent tropical storms characterized by swirling winds, reiterating that Kenya was not susceptible to such phenomena.

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Despite debunking the cyclone claims, Kenya Met issued a warning regarding the persistence of heavy rainfall in various parts of the country. The department forecasted continued enhanced rainfall until May, a period traditionally associated with the long rains season in Kenya.

"The March-April-May period in Kenya is normally referred to as the long rains season," explained Kenya Met in a statement. "It has a peak between the 1st week of April and the 1st week of May," the department added.

The clarification from Kenya Meteorological Department comes as heavy downpours continue to affect different regions of the country, leading to floods, fatalities, displacement, and disruptions in services.