Over the last two weeks, Tanzania has experienced severe flooding that has resulted in the death of 58 people. The heavy rains that began in April, which is the peak of the country’s rainy season, have been worsened by the El Nino phenomenon. The Tanzanian government has announced plans to construct 14 dams to prevent flooding in future, particularly in the coastal region, which has been one of the worst affected areas.
This is not the first time Tanzania has experienced such devastating floods. Just four months ago, at least 63 people were killed in floods and landslides in northern Tanzania. On Friday, eight schoolchildren drowned after their bus plunged into a flooded gorge in the north of the country, and a volunteer in the rescue operations also died.
The flooding has affected over 126,831 people and caused damage to more than 75,000 farms in the coastal and Morogoro areas. The Tanzanian authorities have distributed essential supplies such as food to those affected. Neighbouring Kenya is also experiencing heavy rains, which have resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people.
According to scientists from the World Weather Attribution group, the rainfall in East Africa between October and December was one of the most intense ever recorded in the region. Climate change is believed to have contributed to the event, making the heavy rainfall up to two times more intense, although the exact contribution of global warming is unknown. Those living in flood-prone areas are being urged to move, and infrastructure has been damaged.
