Tanzania: Dozens of people killed devastating rain in Hanang district
Officials in northern Tanzania have confirmed the deaths of 47 people, while several others were reported to have sustained varying degrees of injuries as severe flooding and landslides swept the region.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has since ordered the deployment of national security forces to facilitate immediate rescue efforts in the disaster that occurred near the slopes of Mount Hanang.
Homes and infrastructure were also damaged in the natural disaster in the East African country.
Tanzania has been struggling with yearly floods that often affect tens of thousands of people.
The region has been hit by floods and landslides in 2023, driven by the El Niño weather phenomenon.
Similar occurrences have been prevalent in Somalia, Kenya, and other East African nations.
The broader impact of the floods linked to the El Niño weather claimed the lives of dozens of people, displacing over 150,000 in Kenya. The situation is dire, with 33 out of 47 counties affected and Makueni being one of the worst-hit areas.
El Niño’s devastating aftermath has also displaced a staggering 1 million Somalis, prompting President Mohamud to emphasize the critical need for swift international cooperation and support.
