Heavy rainfall and powerful winds have unleashed deadly landslides and catastrophic flooding across East Africa, with southern Tanzania reporting at least 20 fatalities in recent days. Authorities confirmed the tragic toll as the wider region grapples with escalating casualties from extreme weather events.
Southern Tanzania Devastated by Landslides
Rainfall and high winds triggered landslides that demolished houses early Wednesday in the Mbeya region of Tanzania. Jaffar Haniu, the administrator for the Rungwe district where the landslides occurred, provided a grim update to reporters. "The death toll now stands at 20," he stated. "One victim is a very young child, a year and a half old."
Haniu warned that meteorologists are forecasting additional rainfall in the coming days. He urgently advised residents living in landslide-prone areas to evacuate immediately to ensure their safety.
Regional Flood Crisis Intensifies
In neighboring Kenya, which faces seasonal flooding annually, the situation is dire. At least 88 people have been killed, with flooding impacting 21 counties. Since heavy rains began earlier this month, at least two rivers have burst their banks, exacerbating the disaster.
The scale and intensity of the current crisis have raised serious concerns about disaster preparedness and the vulnerability of communities residing near rivers and flood-prone zones. In response, the military has been deployed to support emergency rescue services in Kenya.
Ethiopia Also Affected by Landslides
Earlier in March, southern Ethiopia experienced its own tragedy, with landslides claiming at least 80 lives. This adds to the regional death toll, highlighting a pattern of severe weather impacts across East Africa.
Climate Predictions Warn of More Rainfall
Last month, the Climate Prediction and Applications Centre of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional bloc, issued a forecast. It indicated that the March-May rainy season has a 45% probability of above-average rainfall across most countries in the region. Affected nations range from Uganda to Djibouti, suggesting that the current flooding and landslide events may persist or worsen.
The ongoing disasters underscore the urgent need for enhanced disaster management strategies and infrastructure to protect vulnerable populations in East Africa from such extreme weather phenomena.
