Nairobi, Kenya — Floods in Tanzania caused by weeks of heavy rain have killed 155 people and affected more than 200,000, the prime minister said on Thursday.
This is more than double the number of deaths reported two weeks ago as the amount of rain increases, especially in the coastal region and in the capital Dar es Salaam.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa told parliament that the El Niño weather pattern has worsened the current rainy season, causing flooding and destroying roads, bridges and railways. Flooded schools have been closed and emergency services have rescued people isolated by the water.
Majaliwa warned those living in low-lying areas to move to higher ground and urged district officials to ensure that supplies meant for those whose homes were razed reach those in need. He said more than 51,000 homes have been affected by the rains.
The East African region is experiencing heavy rain and flooding has also been reported in neighboring Burundi and Kenya.
In Kenya, 35 people were reported dead as of Monday and the number was expected to rise as flooding continues across the country.
In the Mathare slum in the capital Nairobi, at least four bodies were recovered from flooded houses on Wednesday. Local media reported that more bodies were recovered from the Mathare River.
Kenyan President William Ruto on Thursday chaired a multi-agency meeting on flood response and ordered the National Youth Service to provide land to people in flood-affected areas.