In the Manyara region of northern Tanzania, heavy rain has led to the tragic deaths of at least 20 individuals due to floods, as confirmed by the ministry of health on Sunday.
El Nino’s severe flooding has wreaked havoc, claiming the lives of hundreds in Kenya and Somalia in recent weeks. The resulting destruction has impacted infrastructure and displaced hundreds of thousands. East Africa grapples with submerged towns and decimated roads, highlighting the widespread impact of the natural disaster.
Expressing dismay, President Samia Suluhu Hassan conveyed her shock through a video message shared online by the Tanzanian ministry of health. She emphasized the urgency of search and rescue efforts and instructed relevant authorities to prioritize the prevention of further casualties.
The president disclosed that the fatalities occurred in Katesh village, Hanang district in Manyara, following heavy rain on Saturday night. Reports from domestic media detailed landslides in several areas of Mount Hanang, accompanied by the sweeping away of livestock.
With scientists attributing the intensification of extreme weather events to climate change, African leaders advocate for global taxes and alterations to international financial institutions to support climate change initiatives.
(Reporting by Nuzulack Dausen; Writing by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Alison Williams)
