Several people have been killed and others injured after landslides caused by severe floods hit part of Northern Tanzania in Katesh township on Sunday, December 3.
According to the regional commissioner in the Manyara area Queen Sendiga, the death toll had reached 47 people by Sunday evening.
Additionally, at least 85 other people were injured after the landslides hit the Manyara area of Tanzania which is near the slopes of Mount Hanang.
“Heavy rain hit the town of Katesh which is about 186 miles (300km) north of the capital Dodoma,” said the district commissioner Janeth Mayanja.
Notably, the floods are as a result of the ongoing El Nino weather phenomenon that has hit major parts of the East African region.
In addition, the regional commissioners warned that the death toll is likely to rise. Homes and Infrastructure were also damaged by the adverse weather.
“Many roads in the area have been blocked by dislodged trees, water and mud,” Mayanja added.
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Tanzania’ President Samia Suluhu Hassan has since deployed national security forces in the area to aid in rescue efforts.
Flood Victims Rescued
“A special rescue squad from the Tanzania People’s Defense Forces has joined other security organs in the search and rescue efforts on Sunday evening,” added Sendiga.
She further added that the rescue operations were set to continue throughout the night of Sunday.
President Samia Suluhu, also sent her condolences to the affected families as she confirmed the deployment of more government rescue teams.
“We are very shocked by this event,” said President Samia Suluhu in a video message shared by the Tanzanian Ministry of Health.
Notably, the East African country was hit by high rainfall in November which also resulted to death and property loss in the Capital Dar es Salaam and areas of Unguja and Kagera.
El Nino rains have hit other East African countries such as Kenya, leading to widespread floods that has regrettably led to loss of lives.
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Notably, President William Ruto chaired an emergency Cabinet meeting on the morning of Monday, November 27, 2023, to assess the impact of El-Nino.
In the meeting held at Statehouse, the Cabinet came up with mitigation measures to curb casualties during the El Nino rains.
To support County Governments in addressing the disaster situations in their respective areas, the Cabinet directed the national treasury to release an additional Ksh10 billion.
