El Niño’s Wrath: 47 Dead, 80 Injured as Tanzania Battles Severe Flooding

Severe flooding and landslides have brought tragedy to northern Tanzania, claiming the lives of at least 47 people and injuring 80 others, according to local officials.

The calamity struck near the slopes of Mount Hanang, prompting President Samia Hassan to deploy national security forces to aid in rescue efforts.

Homes and critical infrastructure bore the brunt of the adverse weather conditions, adding to the already challenging situation. Tanzania has long grappled with the impact of flooding, considered the most significant natural hazard in the region, affecting tens of thousands annually.

The devastating events are part of a broader crisis gripping East Africa in 2023, exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon.

Last month witnessed higher-than-usual rainfall in Tanzania, resulting in fatalities and property destruction in various regions, including the capital, Dar es Salaam, as well as Kigoma, Kagera, Geita, and Unguja.

Beyond the human toll, the floods have washed away crops in some areas, severely impacting the livelihoods of the affected communities.

With the Tanzania meteorology agency warning of continued rains this month, the nation braces for an extended period of crisis.

As rescue efforts intensify and the nation mourns the lives lost, Tanzania faces a daunting challenge of rebuilding homes, restoring infrastructure, and supporting those whose livelihoods have been devastated by the relentless forces of nature.