Floods ravage Mbeya, Katavi, leaving trail of destruction

Mbeya/Katavi. The situation is dire, with the latest information showing that floods have kept pounding several areas of the country, leaving 3,000 students out of school temporarily.

Schools were closed due to mudslides from Mount Kawetele in the Itezi ward of Mbeya city.

While Mbeya grapples with the situation, reports from Katavi region indicate that the Msadya River has shifted its course, causing its waters to spread into residential areas and inconveniencing vehicles and residents using the bridge over the river.

This was mostly experienced in the neighborhoods of Ikuba, Usenga, and Igongo.

Tambukareli School, which was used to set up a special camp for flood victims, has been closed, while Mary’s, Mafanikio, and Itezi secondary schools were also closed for precaution.

Generation School suspended classes due to floods, which saw mud surrounding some of the buildings.

Read: Meteorological body puts 14 regions on alert as heavy rains are forecasted across Tanzania

Speaking on behalf of the Education Officer of Mbeya City, Anderson Mwalongo, Education, Equipment, and Statistics Officer in the city, Ally Abdalah, said yesterday that the schools had been closed as a precaution following the mudslides.

Mr Abdalah said due to the closure of the four primary schools and one secondary school, 3,000 students will miss classes for a period of seven days.

After that period, they will receive a report, including recommendations from geological experts, to determine further actions.

“Generation School, which was covered in mud, will be halted first, while Mary’s, Mafanikio, and Itezi secondary schools are temporarily closed as a precaution. We have closed Tambukareli due to its use as a special camp for victims,” he said.

Some of the victims expressed uncertainty about their future, noting that even the services provided in the temporary camp were inadequate.

Those who spoke to The Citizen’s sister paper, Mwananchi, at Tambukareli Primary School said yesterday that the victims’ needs were just numerous, including food, clothing, and capital, as they have lost everything, including their money.

Mr Innocent Eliya, who lost his house and all his belongings in the recent floods, said they do not know their fate and appealed to the government to provide them with clothing, food, and capital, as they have lost everything.

Fortune John added: “Even though it happened unexpectedly, we are all Tanzanians; no one asked for or wanted this disaster. The government should help us with housing and food because so far we have not eaten anything.”

Meanwhile, the Ward Councillor, Sambwee Shitambala, said it was too early to determine the fate of the victims as the disaster committee continues to assess how to assist them, including providing housing, and appealed to the community to also offer support.

“In this situation, we are using the school facilities, which means the students’ toilets are being used, and we need a lot of water, as well as food and blankets. We appreciate the disaster committee for providing some services,” said Shitambala, adding that they have already brought in psychology experts.

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From Katavi, reports indicate that the Msadya River has shifted its course, causing its waters to spread into residential areas, causing inconvenience for vehicles and residents using the bridge over the river, especially in the neighbourhoods of Ikuba, Usenga, and Igongo.

This has been caused by ongoing rainfall, which has resulted in damage in the Kavuu constituency in the Mpimbwe District of Mlele District, Katavi Region. The rains that fell on the night of Sunday, April 14, have severed communication after the bridges over the Msadya and Kibaoni rivers in the Mpimbwe District were destroyed.

The Member of Parliament for Kavuu Constituency, Mr Geophrey Pinda (CCM), who is also the Deputy Minister of Land, Housing, and Human Settlements Development, along with government and Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) leaders from Mlele District, visited the affected areas yesterday.

Mr Pinda urged the youth living near the Msadya River to take environmental conservation measures seriously to avoid flood disasters.

“The entire stretch from Ikuba to Kashishi must work together to preserve this river. As such, for young people, the number one project here in Ikuba is the river,” said Minister Pinda.

The District Commissioner of Mlele, Alhaji Majid Mwanga, called for caution in all affected areas and urged village and ward officials to assess the extent of the damage in collaboration with the Mpimbwe District Council office.

“I believe that the director will convene a disaster committee meeting to discuss how these incidents occurred because it’s not only here so that as a district, we can make informed decisions and provide accurate information,” said Alhaji Mwanga.

Earlier, addressing the floods, the Executive Director of the Mpimbwe District Council, Shamim Mwariko, advised residents in affected areas not to use unauthorized routes as it is difficult to know when the waters will rise. She said her council would assess all affected areas and collaborate to address the challenges that have arisen.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Mpimbwe District Council, Silas Ilumba, warned residents against sleeping in houses that are close to each other due to the impact of the rains, as the water may recede during the night. In Rufiji, President Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday assisted with rice, flour, and beans totalling 300 tonnes to help those affected by flooding in various villages in Rufiji, Pwani Region.

The aid was handed over yesterday, April 15, 2024, to the Regional Commissioner of Pwani, Abubakar Kunenge, with plans underway to distribute the aid to the intended recipients, as stated by the Commissioner, who emphasized that the assistance came from the President personally and not from the government.

The Regional Commissioner noted that initially, they received 32 tons of rice, with more expected to be delivered soon, and assured that they would ensure the aid reaches the affected individuals promptly.

Mr Innocent Mbilinyi, who delivered the assistance, mentioned that additional assistance would arrive shortly to meet the target of 300 tons. Residents of Rufiji District continue to suffer from the effects of flooding caused by ongoing rains in the area.

Reported by Saddam Sadick in Mbeya and Sanjito Msafiri in Rufiji