Heavy Rains
Tanzania, along with other East African countries, is grappling with the devastating consequences of torrential rains linked to El Nino.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa reported on Thursday that at least 155 people have lost their lives due to flooding and landslides triggered by the heavy downpours.
The region, already highly vulnerable to climate change, has experienced unusually heavy rainfall during the current rainy season. Kenya, too, has suffered dozens of fatalities as a result of the relentless rains.
According to Majaliwa, over 51,000 households and 200,000 individuals have been affected by the rains in Tanzania alone. Alongside the fatalities, 236 people have been injured.
Majaliwa addressed the Tanzanian parliament in Dodoma, highlighting the extensive damage caused by the heavy rains.
Loss of life, destruction of crops, homes, and infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and railways have been reported across the country.
El Nino, a natural climate pattern characterized by increased heat globally and erratic rainfall patterns, has had a particularly devastating impact in East Africa.
Burundi, grappling with its status as one of the world’s poorest nations, has seen around 96,000 people displaced by the incessant rains.
Kenya has also borne the brunt of the heavy rains, with approximately 45 fatalities reported since the start of the rainy season.
Flash floods in Nairobi claimed 13 lives this week alone, prompting President William Ruto to convene an emergency meeting to address the crisis.
The situation remains dire across the region, with the UN humanitarian response agency reporting intensifying rains and flash floods in Somalia.
Tragically, the impact of El Nino is likely to persist in the coming months, exacerbating the already challenging conditions faced by communities in East Africa.
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