| Dar is sinking! | Send to a friend |
| Wednesday, 21 December 2011 22:38 |
 DEATH TOLL FROM FLOODS RISES TO 12By Frank Amani The Citizen Correspondent Dar es Salaam. The city was temporarily paralysed yesterday after heavy rains caused floods in many suburbs for the second day running. Eight people were killed, bringing the death toll to 12.The Regional Peace and Security Committee met under the chairmanship of the regional commissioner, Mr Said Meck Sadick, and resolved to ask for help from the Tanzania Red Cross Society and the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF). Red Cross teams were sent in to distribute relief food, leaving TPDF to focus on rescue operations. There were reports of extensive damage to public infrastructure such as bridges and roads. Personal property, including houses and other belongings, were swept away by the flood waters. Some key Dar roads were closed after bridges were destroyed or submerged in the raging waters.Morogoro Road at Jangwani, covering the stretch between Kariakoo and Magomeni, was hard hit.The same road was temporarily closed in the morning at Mbezi Mwisho after flood waters rose beyond bridge level. Upcountry travellers were stranded for hours before the raging water subsided mid-morning. Part of Kawawa Road was also closed at Msimbazi and about 30 houses were destroyed by strong currents. Residents of Bunju, Boko, Tegeta and Mbezi beach were stranded after Mbezi Chini bridge, located between Tangi Bovu and Kawe, was closed after its pillars were left exposed. Old Bagamoyo road was also rendered impassable at the stretch between Kawe and Mikocheni after an overflow at Mlalakuwa Bridge, and soldiers from the National Service camp nearby closed the road temporarily. Users of Mandela expressway were also not spared. In the early hours of the morning, the stretch between Tabata Relini and TIOT was impassable after the entire road was flooded. A bridge at Matumbi was closed and a car was swept away but the driver managed to escape. Reports from Tabata said the situation was desperate as many houses were destroyed, with thousands of people forced to seek refuge on the rooftops of their houses. Meanwhile, President Jakaya Kikwete sent a consolation message to those affected by the floods. Writing in his facebook account, the President said: “My heart goes to all those who have been affected by the disaster from the heavy rains which continue in Dar es Salaam.”  Dr Willibrod Slaa, the Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) secretary-general, also expressed his sympathy. Writing in his twitter page, Dr Slaa prayed for those who had lost their lives.In Kinondoni, Mr Rakesh Rajani of Twaweza East Africa reported that their offices were flooded and about 20 computers destroyed. The organisation’s aim is to enable 50 million people in East Africa to access information and use it to make a difference.The United Nations offices and a house owned by businessman Reginald Mengi were also damaged by the floods caused by heavy downpours coupled with strong winds. “The Selander Bridge is flooded, making it impassable,” said Mr Rajani, who thanked private rescue companies for a job well done. “We are not seeing the police doing rescue operations...nothing from the government.” The areas hit hardest included Kinondoni Mkwajuni, Tandale, Kigogo and Msasani in Kinondoni District. Tabata and Kinyerezi were the most affected in Ilala District. In addition to the four people reported dead yesterday, thousands of people were missing in many parts of the city. Mr Omary Liwawa, a resident of Mbezi Bondeni, said many people were stranded when the bridge was closed. “People had no idea what to do at first,” he said. “Those who attempted to use the Kawe Chini road were discouraged after learning that the situation there was equally bad.” At Mkwajuni Valley, near Jangwani, people climbed onto rooftops and trees as they waited for rescue helicopters. When a helicopter arrived, the life jackets were not enough to go round. The Ten Cell Leader of Kwa Tumbo at Tandale, Ms Zinduna Kimbonaga, told The Citizen that many people lost their property and homes. Yesterday’s damage was far worse than that of Tuesday, she said.Kinondoni District Commissioner Jordan Rugimbana said the government had formed committees to monitor the damage in all three districts. The Dar es Salaam Regional Commisssioner, Mr Mecki Sadick, ordered the creation of a special committee to ensure assistance is given to affected populations, especially those in the vulnerable Msimbazi Valley. He said the committee would work with police and the Red Cross to set up centres to receive those affected. Mr Raymond Kanyambo, the Tanzania Red Cross Society public relations and communication officer, announced that their action team would help residents of Kigogo and Jangwani. He added: “We have provided rescue facilities and we are constructing tents for those whose homes have collapsed. We do not know the total number of people who died but the truth is that many people lost their homes and property.” Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
| Last Updated on Friday, 23 December 2011 08:32 |
Comments
I cannot believe that most of the places we stayed in during our Independence Day weekend including Selander Bridge and vast areas of Kinondoni and Kariakor are under water .
Me and my friends f from Mombasa Golf Clubwho were hosted by Dar Gymkhana Golf Club do offer our sincere sympathies to the hospitable TZ souls .
RSS feed for comments to this post