Tanzania counts losses after Cyclone Hidaya

Dar es Salaam. The government said on Thursday, May 9, 2024, that five people died and seven others were injured following the landing of Cyclone Hidaya on the south-eastern coast of the Indian Ocean.

Cyclone Hidaya landed on Tanzania’s coastline on Saturday, May 4, 2024, adversely affecting Mtwara, Lindi, Coast and Morogoro regions.

In the regions, the government said 7,027 households with 18,862 people were adversely affected.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa shared the statistics on May 9, 2024, when issuing a government statement on Cyclone Hidaya in Parliament during impromptu questions to the Premier.

He said Cyclone Hidaya, which was associated with heavy rainfall and strong winds, killed five people in Kilwa District, and damaged 2,098 houses, out of which 678 were completely smashed, 877 partially, and 543 others were submerged.

“Effects have been witnessed on the infrastructure. Some roads and bridges have been swept away by water with electric poles fallen,” he told Parliament.

“Social service delivery infrastructures including public institutions such as schools and health facilities were also affected,” he added.

He said Cyclone Hidaya has led to the suspension of economic activities such as fishing, farming, trade, and food destruction, as well as psychological harm.

The Premier said it  caused heavy rains and strong winds in the Coastal Region (Rufiji, Mafia, and Kibiti Districts); Lindi Region (Kilwa District); Mtwara Region (Mtwara Rural District and Mtwara-Mikindani Municipality); as well as Morogoro Region (Ifakara District and nearby areas).

Read: Tanzania lifts alert as cyclone Hidaya lost strength

According to him, the Mafia District was adversely affected as properties and infrastructure have been destroyed including residential buildings, schools and health facilities.

He said the district hospital has been submerged by water, markets, and other public and private institutions have also been affected.

“Roads have been eroded and blocked by fallen trees, and electric poles have been split and fallen, leaving the area without water and electricity,” he said.

Furthermore, Mr Majaliwa said in Kilwa District, 178 households with 941 people have been submerged, including one school.

The Lindi-Dar es Salaam highway, he said has been disconnected at a 200-metre section in Somanga Area, leaving 126 vehicles, including passenger buses, trucks, and private cars, stranded.

“It is estimated that around 2,534 people are stranded. Some passengers and vehicles have returned to Lindi town; others have travelled through the Songea route to Dar es Salaam; while others have returned to Dar es Salaam from Somanga,” said Mr Majaliwa.

He said buildings belonging to public and private institutions as well as residential houses have been submerged, including the Songasi station, leaving 31 people stuck at the gas processing plant.

Mr Majaliwa said in Rufiji District, Coast Region, 38 houses have been destroyed, another house submerged and road infrastructure severely destroyed.

According to him, settlements, markets and coconut farms have been destroyed in Kibiti District, Coast Region.

In the Mtwara Municipality, 21 houses have been damaged and 38 others submerged, leaving 42 people homeless, said Mr Majaliwa.

In Ifakara Town, Morogoro Region, he said 43 houses have been demolished, and 512 others submerged.

Furthermore, he said roads and culvert infrastructure connecting different places have suffered serious damages as well as 23,501 acre farms.

Record rain levels

Mr Majaliwa said the 36-hour weather stations in Kilwa and Mtwara recorded 316 millimetres and 99 millimetres of rain levels, respectively, which is a record amount to be witnessed in May.

Mr Majaliwa said the amount is 327 percent and the 183 percent increase as compared to 96.6 millimetres and 54 millimetres normal rainfall levels respectively. “Under normal circumstances, the 316 millimetres of rainfall recorded in Kilwa within 36 hours is equivalent to three years' worth of rainfall for May, specifically for May 2024, May 2025, and May 2026,” said the Premier.

“This is an exceptionally high amount, which is why there has been significant damage to various infrastructure,” he added.

Ongoing measures

He said currently the government was assessing the situation and infrastructure, including damaged electrical infrastructure, repairing roads, and constructing temporary bridges.

Government directives

Mr Majaliwa issued eight directives on disasters and special instructions to the Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads, the Rural and Urban Roads Agency (Tarura), and the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco).

“Their efforts should be directed towards infrastructure repairs for prompt and swift restoration of social services delivery,” he said.

He directed disaster management committees to ensure that aid and humanitarian assistance reach respective disaster victims.

They should adhere to established procedures, he said, noting that the move should enable all affected individuals to receive aid and essential services.

“Rescue teams should ensure stranded citizens receive prompt assistance for them to safely and swiftly reach intended destinations,” he said.