Tanzania is grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods triggered by weeks of torrential rains, leaving at least 155 people dead and 236 injured. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa delivered the grim statistics to parliament on Thursday.
The heavy downpours, reportedly attributed to El Niño weather patterns, have caused flash flooding across 14 regions in mainland Tanzania. Over 200,000 people have been impacted, with 10,000 homes sustaining damage.
“The floods have had a widespread impact, damaging schools, crops, roads, bridges, health facilities, and livestock,” Majaliwa informed the parliament.
The government is scrambling to prevent further casualties and contain the disaster. Schools in the worst-hit areas have been ordered to close, and critical infrastructure agencies, including the Tanzania National Roads Agency and Tanzania Railways Corporation, have been tasked with urgently assessing and repairing damaged roads and railways.
The Tanzania Meteorological Authority predicts the relentless rains to persist throughout May, raising concerns about a potential escalation of the crisis.
