AT least 10 people died, 20 others were injured, and hundreds had their properties destroyed during the past one week of ongoing heavy rains in Tanga Region, police have confirmed.
Tanga regional police commander (RPC) Benedict Wakulyamba told reporters here yesterday that apart from causing deaths and injuries, the rains have rendered more than 200 people homeless in the region.
According to the RPC, 12 houses were completely washed away by running floods and another 268 houses remained surrounded by high waters.
The floods also carried away five motor vehicles, destroyed roads and related infrastructure, thereby blocking access between districts across the region, he added.
Though supposed to be a blessing for Tanzania’s agricultural sector, the ongoing heavy rains in many parts of the country have resulted in similar tales of flooded roads, broken bridges, submerged homes, damaged properties, and even ravaged farms.
Korogwe and Lushoto districts, as well as some parts of Tanga municipality, have been most highly-affected in Tanga Region.
A week ago, Tanga police said the busy Chalinze-Moshi highway plied by hundreds of travellers every day became impassable for some hours after being submerged in water around the Mombo and Mkumbala section in the region.
Reports at the time indicated that Lushoto remained disconnected from the rest of the country following a landslide caused by the rains in the Usambara Mountains.
Last month, the Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) warned of heavy rains countrywide up to the end of May due to the effects of the ongoing Cyclone Fantala in the Indian Ocean.
Said TMA director general Dr Agnes Kijazi: “The storm is currently in a quasi-stationary over the Indian Ocean, but with high pressures measuring 950 mill bars, it is likely to be blown towards the East African coast in which it will enhance the ongoing rains.”
Dr Kijazi called on the general public to take precautionary measures since many parts of the country would be affected by heavy downpours.
The country's top meteorologist said the agency would continue to issue daily reports and take measures to prevent negative impacts of the rains on people and properties.
Cyclone Fantala is the sixth to occur during the South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season from November and April. But according to Dr Kijazi, not all such storms lead to increased rains.
The first cyclone this season, on November 19, was Annabelle, followed by the fairly weak Bohale after a month of inactivity. Another month passed before Corentin formed on January 20. This was followed by Daya, Emeraude, and now Fantala.
TMA issued an outlook for the March-May long rainfall season known as ‘masika’ in Kiswahili in which it predicated heavy rains for many parts of the country.
0 comments: