Tanzania has witnessed the tragic loss of 155 lives due to heavy rains associated with the climatic phenomenon of El Niño, causing floods and landslides, as announced by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa yesterday.
During a parliamentary session, Majaliwa stated that the “heavy rains associated with El Niño” had caused “serious damage” in various regions of the country.
The heavy rains have affected more than 51,000 households and two hundred thousand individuals. Nearly236 people have been injured, and over ten thousand homes have been damaged, according to figures presented by the Prime Minister.
On April 14, the government spokesperson announced the death of 58 individuals during the first two weeks of the month, which typically represent the peak of the rainy season in Tanzania.
Several countries in East Africa have experienced above-average rainfall in recent weeks.
This year’s winter season coincided with a wave of El Niño that began in mid-2023 and may continue until May, according to the World Meteorological Organization on March 5.
In addition to rising temperatures, the El Niño phenomenon causes droughts in some regions of the world and heavy rainfall in others.
In Kenya, at least 45 people have lost their lives since the start of the rainy season in March. Floods that swept through the capital, Nairobi, on Wednesday claimed the lives of 13 individuals.
In Burundi, authorities have reported 96,000 internally displaced persons due to continuous heavy rains for several months.
