The recent havoc caused by floods and landslides in northern Tanzania has escalated, resulting in 47 fatalities and leaving 85 individuals injured due to intense rainfall, as per a high-ranking government official’s statement.
A convergence of the El Nino and Indian Ocean dipole weather patterns has triggered severe flooding, causing numerous casualties in Kenya and Somalia while displacing hundreds of thousands since the commencement of seasonal rains in October.
Authorities in the Manyara region have initiated search and rescue missions, expressing concerns about potential victims trapped in the mud, disclosed Manyara region commissioner Queen Sendiga during a late Sunday briefing to journalists.
“As of the evening, we have rescued 85 injured persons who are continuing with the treatments and others have been discharged. The death toll has increased to 47 people,” she said.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, in an online video disseminated by the ministry of health, reported that nearly 100 houses in the village of Katesh, Hanang district, were engulfed by a landslide.
“We are very shocked by this event,” Suluhu said.
Climate scientists underscore that climate change is contributing significantly to the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events worldwide.