155 people die in Tanzania as heavy El-nino rains wreak havoc
What you need to know:
- The increase in heavy rainfall was observed during the period from January to April 2024, and weather forecasts indicate that the torrential rains will continue until May.
Dar es Salaam. The ongoing heavy rains accompanied by strong winds, floods, and landslides in various parts Tanzania have so far killed 155 people and leave 236 others injured, the government has confirmed.
The revelation was made in Parliament on Thursday April 25, 2024 by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa who presented a report about the current weather condition, during the questions and answers session.
He said the increased global temperatures had caused the El-Nino rains, which had resulted into floods and landslides.
“Honourable Speaker, the heavy El Niño rains, accompanied by strong winds, floods, and landslides in various parts of the country, have caused significant damage. These include loss of life, destruction of crops, homes, citizens' property, and infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and railways,” said Mr Majaliwa as he presented the report.
“As a result, more than 51,000 households and 200,000 people were affected, with 155 fatalities while 236 individuals were injured and over 10,000 houses were affected to varying degrees,” he said.
The increase in heavy rainfall was observed during the period from January to April 2024, and weather forecasts indicate that the torrential rains will continue until May.
The Premier explained that the rains had caused damage to crops, homes, properties as well as infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and railways.
Other affected areas include school infrastructure, dispensaries, houses of prayers, roads, bridges, livestock, and farms with various crops.
He mentioned some of the affected areas in the country including Rufiji and Kibiti in Coast Region, Malinyi, Mlimba, Kilosa, Morogoro Municipality, and Ifakara (Morogoro); Ilala, Kinondoni, Ubungo, Kigamboni, and Temeke (Dar es Salaam); Same, Hai, and Moshi (Kilimanjaro); Mbarali, Kyela, and Mbeya City Council (Mbeya); Kigoma Ujiji Municipality and Kakonko in Kigoma Region.
Other areas, according to the Prime Minister, include , Iringa Rural (Iringa); Tabora Municipality (Tabora); Bahi (Dodoma); Lindi Municipality, Kilwa, Liwale, and Nachingwea (Lindi); Masasi (Mtwara) and Arusha City, Monduli, and Karatu (Arusha); Muleba and Bukoba Municipality (Kagera): Shinyanga Municipality (Shinyanga); Geita Town, Nyangh’wale, and Chato (Geita); Mbozi and Momba (Songwe); Nkasi, Sumbawanga, and Kalambo (Rukwa), and Hanang’ in Manyara Region.
"I urge citizens to exercise patience when they see a lot of running water, especially on the roads, to thwart avoidable accidents," he said.
