Torrential rains associated with El Nino have wreaked havoc in Tanzania, claiming the lives of at least 155 individuals, according to Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa's address to parliament on Thursday.
The widespread flooding and landslides have affected around 200,000 people, leading to substantial destruction of homes, infrastructure, and agricultural fields across various parts of the country.
This natural disaster exacerbates the challenges faced by East Africa, a region already grappling with recurrent climate-related crises. In Kenya, the capital city of Nairobi witnessed flash floods that resulted in 13 fatalities this week, while in Burundi, relentless rainfall over several months has displaced approximately 100,000 individuals.
Prime Minister Majaliwa underscored the severity of the situation, emphasizing the substantial damage inflicted by the heavy El Nino rains, which were accompanied by strong winds, floods, and landslides. The consequences include loss of life, destruction of crops, homes, and public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and railways.
The impact of the disaster is far-reaching, with over 51,000 households and 200,000 people directly affected. Additionally, more than 236 individuals sustained injuries, and over 10,000 houses suffered varying degrees of damage.
This catastrophe unfolds against the backdrop of previous climate-related crises in the region. Just last year, over 300 lives were lost in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia due to torrential rains and floods, compounding the challenges faced by communities already reeling from the effects of the worst drought in forty years.
Historically, the region has been vulnerable to such natural disasters. In the late 1990s, massive floods claimed over 6,000 lives across five countries in East Africa between October 1997 and January 1998, highlighting the recurrent nature and devastating impact of extreme weather events.
As Tanzania and neighboring countries grapple with the aftermath of this disaster, there is an urgent need for coordinated efforts to provide relief, support affected communities, and implement measures to mitigate the impact of future climate-related crises.