Flooding in Tanzania and Kenya Kills Hundreds
The relentless heavy rains in Tanzania and Kenya have
resulted in a tragic loss of life, with hundreds of fatalities reported by
officials.
In Tanzania, the toll stands at 155, with over 200,000
individuals affected by the flooding, a figure that has more than doubled in
recent weeks due to escalating rainfall, particularly along the coastal areas
and in Dar es Salaam.
The inundation has forced the closure of schools and
prompted emergency services to conduct rescues of those stranded by rising
waters. Critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and railways has also
succumbed to the deluge, compounding the challenges faced by affected
communities.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has issued warnings to
residents in low-lying regions to seek higher ground for safety. He has further
urged district officials to ensure equitable distribution of aid to those rendered
homeless by the floods, estimating that over 51,000 households have been
impacted.
In neighboring Kenya, the death toll has reached 70 since
the onset of the monsoon season in March, a figure that has doubled within
days. Grim scenes have unfolded in places like the Mathare slum in Nairobi,
where bodies were recovered from flooded houses and the Mathare River.
President William Ruto has taken proactive measures,
chairing a multi-agency flood response meeting and instructing the National
Youth Service to provide land for displaced individuals. The exacerbation of
the situation by the El Nino climate pattern underscores the vulnerability of
the East African region to climate change.
With El Nino expected to persist through the spring, urgent
action and support are needed to mitigate the impacts and aid affected
communities as they brace for the onset of the dry season in June.
