At least 155 people have died in Tanzania because heavy rains caused by El Nino led to flooding and landslides, said Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on Thursday. This region of East Africa, which is very sensitive to climate changes, has seen a lot more rain than usual this season, with many deaths also reported in Kenya. Over 51,000 households and 200,000 people have been affected in Tanzania, with 236 people injured. Majaliwa mentioned in parliament in Dodoma, Tanzania’s capital, that the intense rains and strong winds have caused a lot of damage, including lost lives, ruined crops, homes, and damaged roads, bridges, and railways.
El Nino, a natural climate pattern, often brings more heat globally, droughts in some areas, and heavy rains in others, especially affecting East Africa severely.
In Burundi, one of the world’s poorest countries, about 96,000 people have been forced to leave their homes due to continuous heavy rain. In Kenya, since the rainy season began in March, around 45 people have died, including 13 this week in flash floods in Nairobi. Kenyan President William Ruto held an urgent meeting to address the flooding, which has blocked roads and flooded homes in poorer areas of the city. Officials have warned people to be cautious as more heavy rain is expected, and those in vulnerable areas might need to move.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of Kenya stated that the government would use all necessary resources to protect lives and people from this disaster. The UN’s humanitarian agency reported that in Somalia, heavy rains are causing flash floods, affecting over 800 people since mid-April. Last year, heavy rains killed more than 300 people in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia as the region was recovering from a severe drought. Between 1997 and 1998, floods killed over 6,000 people in five countries in the region. According to the World Meteorological Organization, the recent El Nino was among the strongest ever, and its effects will continue in the coming months by increasing heat in the atmosphere. They predict higher than normal temperatures in most places from March to May.
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