Devastating floods continue to devastate Tanzania

The Northern part of Tanzania has been impacted the most. Last Friday, eight school children including a volunteer drowned after their bus plunged into a flooded gorge. This tragedy follows the death of 63 people in December floods which triggered massive landslides.

The government spokesman Mr. Mobhare Matinyi in a press briefing, insisted on the government’s measures to counter future heavy rainfall disasters. ‘The government plans to construct 14 dams to prevent flooding in the future. Many lives have been lost due to flooding, more so our northern part,’ he said.

Beyond Tanzania’s borders, the effects of extreme weather events are reverberating across the region. In Kenya, torrential rains have triggered floods and landslides, causing further loss of life and widespread displacement in more than 40 counties.

South Africa closed schools weeks ago due to storms lashing its coastal regions, causing extensive damage including deaths and prompting evacuations.

While extreme weather events are a natural occurrence, several factors have amplified their impact in Tanzania and beyond. Climate change has altered precipitation patterns, leading to more frequent and intense rainfall events.

Deforestation, unplanned urbanization, and inadequate infrastructure have further exacerbated the vulnerability of communities to flooding. In most African countries, weak disaster preparedness and response mechanisms have hindered efforts to mitigate the impact and provide timely assistance to those in need.

It is imperative that the government, humanitarian organizations, and international partners work together to continue to provide immediate assistance and implement long-term solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change and build resilience in vulnerable populations.