Heavy rains and strong winds have killed one and destroyed more than 20 houses rendering 100 others homeless in Handeni district, Tanga region, – Northern Tanzania, an official said on Friday.
The Handeni district administrative secretary, Mashaka Mgeta said torrents hit Kwamatuku village on Thursday, destroying infrastructure, including electric cables and roads.
Mgeta confirmed that a girl, who was selected to join secondary education in January 2022, drowned away as she tried to cross over a flooded ravine on her way back from her family’s farm.
Mgeta, who visited victims of the torrential downpour, said the government is assessing the loss caused by the rains before it provides relief supplies to those in dire need.
Northern Tanzania and parts of the Dar es Salam are prone to flooding. The Tanzania Urban Resilience Programme, a multi-stakeholder initiative was designed to build up Tanzania’s own resilience against the challenges of changing climate and natural disasters. .
He said the government is also working hard to restore the damaged infrastructure affected by the rain.