Floods Kill 8, Displace 3,000 in Two Regions

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

23 April 2011

Tanga — Eight people have been killed and more than 3,000 displaced in Tanga and Morogoro regions in the past two weeks. All the deaths have been reported in Tanga Region while the displacements occurred in Morogoro.

Seven of those who were killed by the floods are residents of Handeni and Kilindi districts, while one death occured in Tanga City.

The acting Tanga regional police commander, Mr Jaffar Mohamed, named the person who died after a tree fell on him during a rainstorm, as Hamisi Hassan, 45.

“The deceased had taken shelter under a big tree at around 4pm when a huge branch gave way and hit him at Uzunguni market. He sustained serious injuries on the head and died shortly after arriving at Bombo Hospital where he had been rushed for treatment,” said Mr Mohamed.

Regarding the other deaths, he said most of them occurred when the victims drowned in large pools of water when they tried to cross flooded rivers and streams.

“We know that villagers have paths which they traditionally use, as well as other shortcuts… During the dry season they find it easy to cross streams because there is little or no water… they forget that during the rainy season water currents get strong, which is how many people drown in villages,” he said.

Mr Mohamed pleaded with parents in villages to keep a close eye on their children as the latter were especially prone to drowning during the on-going rains.

About 3,000 people from more than 100 families in Mbingu Ward, Kilombero District in Morogoro Region have vacated their homes after heavy rains pounded the area for four consecutive days. The houses are now surrounded by floods, and the victims have pleaded for humanitarian assistance, including food and shelter.

The deluge has also turned the area into an island, as the road connecting it to Ifakara town, the district headquarters, has been destroyed and rendered impassable.

Reporters heading to Mbingu area to witness the situation counted at least 25 vehicles stranded on a muddy stretch near Namwawala Village in Idete Ward. Most of the stuck vehicles were lorries ferrying agricultural produce such as bananas, rice and maize.

Mr Charles Mushi, a trader from Mbingu whose hired vehicle is stuck in the mud, told reporters that they have been stranded in the area for four days.

“I can’t leave because if I do people will steal my cargo,” he said, adding that the situation was getting worse due to lack of social amenities in the area.

He also said that one woman died after a car which was rushing her to hospital got stuck and failed to continue with the journey. Two pregnant women delivered in the area, having failed to reach a clinic.

“We appeal to the regional authorities to come and clear this section of the road so that people can continue with their journeys… The passengers are suffering,” he pleaded.

The Kilombero District Council chairman, Mr Ramadhani Kiombile, said the local authorities had already issued Sh1.5 million for rehabilitation of the bad section of the road. The council had also sent food aid to people affected by the floods, he said.

Mr Kiombile noted that they were aware of the poor road condition and were doing all they could to improve the situation.

Meanwhile, about 660 acres of farms and 57 houses have been destroyed in Mofu Ward following heavy rains that have caused flooding in various areas of Kilombero District.

Mr Kiombile said yesterday that the affected residents have taken refuge at the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) offices in the village and at the ward executive officer’s office while others have sought assistance from relatives and Good Samaritans.

He said though the district council has sent them food assistance, they have also communicated with the disaster management office in the Prime Minister’s Office on the problem.

He said many roads have been damaged, making ferrying of relief supplies to the affected villagers a daunting task.

“We have asked the government to assist us to cope with the situation because it is alarming. The government can at least assist us to rehabilitate the road,” he said.

He also asked members of the public and institutions to donate food and other facilities for the victims whose houses have been destroyed.

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