At least 155 individuals have tragically lost their lives in Tanzania due to the devastating floods and landslides triggered by the intense rains associated with El Niño, as revealed by the prime minister.
Kassim Majaliwa has issued a cautionary statement, highlighting the potential continuation of these rains well into May and urging families residing in flood-prone areas to evacuate promptly.
The impact of this disaster has already affected approximately 200,000 people and over 51,000 households, exacerbating an already dire situation.
Neighboring countries such as Kenya and Burundi are also grappling with the aftermath of heavy rainfall, leading to a widespread humanitarian crisis across the region.
In a comprehensive report presented to Tanzania’s parliament, Mr. Majaliwa underscored the significant toll since January, with 155 fatalities and 236 individuals sustaining injuries.
He lamented the widespread devastation, encompassing loss of lives, destruction of crops, homes, and critical infrastructure like roads, bridges, and railways.
Kenyan President William Ruto has mobilized the army to assist in rescue operations amidst the relentless downpours affecting various parts of the country, including the capital, Nairobi.
The deluge has resulted in the destruction of homes, displacement of families, and loss of lives, particularly in vulnerable slum areas.
The Red Cross reported a death toll exceeding 45 individuals since March in Kenya alone, with more than 10 fatalities recorded just this week.
In Burundi, heavy rains have uprooted nearly 100,000 individuals from their homes, exacerbating an already fragile situation in the region.
Weather reports attributed the intensity of the rains to the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), often dubbed the “Indian Niño” due to its resemblance to the Pacific counterpart.
A positive phase of the IOD signifies warmer sea-surface temperatures in the western Indian Ocean, leading to increased rainfall irrespective of El Niño’s influence.
However, the convergence of a positive IOD and El Niño, as witnessed last year, can amplify the intensity of the rains in East Africa to extreme levels.
The devastating impact of such convergence was evident in 1997 and 1998, where severe flooding claimed over 6,000 lives across five countries in the region, underscoring the gravity of the current situation.
