More than 150 killed as heavy rains pound Tanzania
By Alfred Lasteck
At least 155 people have died in floods and landslides in Tanzania following heavy rains caused by El Niño, the prime minister has said.
Kassim Majaliwa warned that the rains might continue into May, and urged families to leave flood-prone areas.
About 200,000 people and more than 51,000 households were already affected by the disaster, he added.
Heavy rains have also swept through neighbouring Kenya and Burundi, causing a humanitarian crisis in the region.
Giving a report to Tanzania’s parliament on the situation in his country since January, Mr Majaliwa said that in addition to the 155 people killed, 236 had been injured.
“The heavy El Nino rains, accompanied by strong winds, floods, and landslides in various parts of the country, have caused significant damage.
“These include loss of life, destruction of crops, homes, citizens’ property, and infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and railways,” he added.
A resident in northern Tanzania’s Siha district told the BBC that his home had been destroyed.
