Tanzania Heavy Rains and Flooding
In Burundi, one of the poorest countries on the planet, around 96,000 people have been displaced by months of relentless rains.
Impact in Tanzania
At least 155 people have died in Tanzania as torrential rains linked to El Nino triggered flooding and landslides, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said. Tanzania and other countries in East Africa — a region highly vulnerable to climate change — have been pounded by heavier than usual rainfall during the current rainy season, with dozens of deaths also reported in Kenya.
Majaliwa said more than 51,000 households and 200,000 people have been affected by the rains, with 155 fatalities and 236 people injured. “The heavy El Nino rains, accompanied by strong winds, floods, and landslides in various parts of the country, have caused significant damage,” Majaliwa told parliament in Tanzania’s capital Dodoma.
“These include loss of life, destruction of crops, homes, citizens’ property, and infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and railways,” he added.
Regional Impact
El Nino is a naturally occurring climate pattern typically associated with increased heat worldwide, as well as drought in some parts of the world and heavy rains elsewhere, and can have a devastating impact in East Africa. In addition to Tanzania, Burundi and Kenya have also faced severe consequences.
In Burundi, around 96,000 people have been displaced by relentless rains. Meanwhile, in Kenya, about 45 people have been killed since the start of the rainy season in March, with flash floods causing chaos in the capital Nairobi.
Response and Outlook
Kenyan President William Ruto convened an emergency multi-agency meeting to respond to the crisis after torrential rains triggered floods across the city. The government is taking measures to protect citizens and mitigate the impact of the disaster.
While El Nino is gradually weakening, its effects will persist in the coming months, leading to above-normal temperatures and continued challenges for the region.
