10 people die as heavy rains hit Dar

Dar es Salaam. At least 10 people, five of them children, died and many more could be trapped in floodwaters following heavy rains in Dar es Salaam. Homes have been swept away by raging waters that have also wreaked havoc in many parts of the country.

Dar es Salaam police boss Suleiman Kova said yesterday that two people attempted to drive through the flash floods but their cars were swept away. “One person was pressed down by a falling tree and died,” Mr Kova added. “We also know of a child killed by a falling wall.”

Hundreds of families have sought refuge with friends and relatives as rising water levels sweep away their homes. Rescue workers were under pressure yesterday to move those stranded in floods to temporary homes in public offices and schools.

Reports from Morogoro, Coast Region and Tanga spoke of destruction of infrastructure and suspended business.

And in many parts of Dar es Salaam, transport came to a complete standstill as storm water flooded motorways, leaving commuters stranded as services temporarily ground to a halt.

A red alert by the meteorological services that the rains would continue for two more days sparked panic among residents who are having a hard time coming to terms with the devastating effects of the downpour. “If the rains continue for one more day, the nation should brace for a disaster deadlier than what we witnessed in the 2011 floods,” said Tandale resident Kishiwa Kassim, whose house was submerged in the raging water along with those of many neighbours.

Dar es Salaam’s defence and security committee held a day-long meeting yesterday to assess the damage. At least five bridges including the Mpigi that connect Dar es Salaam and Bagamoyo, have been swept away, Mr Kova said.

The police, in collaboration with regional authorities, have set up rescue teams to work in areas most affected by the floods. “Our men are on high alert,” Mr Kova said. “We have since Friday night been working to rescue people in flood-prone areas,”

Sections of major roads were closed to limit the damage as the water level continued to rise. A commuter train halted operations yesterday as part of the railway was submerged in water .

And hundreds of homes in Tandale, Kigogo, Tabata Kisiwani, Mwananyamala, Msasani Bonde la Mpunga were swamped by the water.

Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) issued a red alert on Thursday and urged residents to prepare for heavy rains exceeding 50mm in 24hrs, strong winds at 40 km per hour and large ocean waves reaching two metres.

The agency warned residents of high risk areas, ocean users and even disaster management authorities to be especially cautious.

According to TMA, Unguja and Pemba Isles, Dar es Salaam, Coast and Tanga regions are at high risk. The Met office reports that England and Wales have seen “one of, if not the most, exceptional periods for winter rainfall” in 248 years.

The Citizen on Sunday witnessed some residents at Msasani Bonde la Mpunga being evacuated from flood-hit homes. Many homes had sunk. In many other sections of the city, residents were left without electricity in the night.

Yesterday, damage and closure of some roads crippled traffic throughout Dar es Salaam. Motorists spent up to three hours covering a distance that would otherwise take 20 minutes. Fallen trees in some streets gave motorists a hard time navigating their way home.

The Citizen on Sunday correspondent in Morogoro reports that heavy rains that have continued for three days wreaked havoc in many homes and destroyed roads and crops.

Flash floods have also swept away Kengenge bridge, which connects Dar es Salaam and Bagamoyo. Coast region police boss Basilio Matei has urged those wishing to travel to Bagamoyo to use the Dar es Salaam-Morogoro road.

The rains have also cut communication between residents of Magindu and neighbouring villages after two bridges were swept away. “It’s like we are living in an Island,” said Magindu Councillor Kassongo Kirengu. “Road communication has been cut off completely. As we speak now, we cannot even go to bury a fellow villager as a bridge has been swept away.”