Tanzania Struck By Severe Floods

Flooding in Northern Tanzania has left at least 47 people dead and 85 injured, with local officials expecting the death toll could rise as rescue efforts continue.

Heavy rains hit Katesh – a small town near Mount Hanang – on Saturday, 2 December, where roads, buildings, and vehicles were washed away by significant amounts of muddy sludge.

National security forces have been deployed to the area by President Samia Hassan to help with rescue efforts. Hassan – who is currently in Dubai for the COP28 climate conference – also shared a video message the following day, sending her condolences to those citizens affected.

Crops and livestock have both been washed away, leaving many people concerned for their livelihoods. However, it seems unlikely that the adverse weather conditions will change any time soon as Tanzania’s meteorology agency has issued a grim warning that the rains are expected to continue for the rest of the month.

The year 2023 has been particularly harsh for many countries in East Africa, which have been hit with torrential rain and flooding after harsh droughts as a result of the El Niño weather phenomenon.

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