El Nino-Induced Flooding and Landslides in Tanzania and East Africa: At Least 155 Dead, 236 Injured, and 200,000 Affected
In Tanzania, at least 155 people have died and 236 were injured due to flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains linked to El Nino.
Over 51,000 households and 200,000 people have been affected.
The region, which is highly vulnerable to climate change, has experienced heavier than usual rainfall during the current rainy season, also causing devastation in Kenya with reported deaths.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa stated that the rains resulted in significant damage including loss of life, destroyed crops, homes, property, and infrastructure.
El Nino, a natural climate pattern causing global heat and weather disruptions, has led to heavy rains and flooding in East Africa.
In Burundi, 96,000 people have been displaced, and in Kenya, about 45 people have been killed since March, including 13 in Nairobi due to flash floods.
Kenyan President William Ruto held an emergency meeting to address the crisis, which caused chaos in the city with blocked roads, bridges, and flooded homes.
Residents have been urged to stay alert as more heavy rains are forecast.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of Kenya's government announced that the government will take necessary actions to protect people from the ongoing heavy rains and floods, particularly those living in vulnerable areas.
The UN humanitarian response agency OCHA reported that in Somalia, the Gu rains have intensified since April 19, resulting in flash floods, four deaths, and displacement of over 800 people.
Last year, over 300 people died in floods and rains in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, just as the region was recovering from a severe drought.
Between October 1997 and January 1998, massive floods caused over 6,000 deaths in five countries in the region.
The UN's World Meteorological Organization identified El Nino, which peaked in December, as one of the strongest ever recorded.
Although El Nino is weakening, its effects will continue through March to May, leading to above-normal temperatures over almost all land areas due to the trapped heat caused by greenhouse gases.
The region, which is highly vulnerable to climate change, has experienced heavier than usual rainfall during the current rainy season, also causing devastation in Kenya with reported deaths.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa stated that the rains resulted in significant damage including loss of life, destroyed crops, homes, property, and infrastructure.
El Nino, a natural climate pattern causing global heat and weather disruptions, has led to heavy rains and flooding in East Africa.
In Burundi, 96,000 people have been displaced, and in Kenya, about 45 people have been killed since March, including 13 in Nairobi due to flash floods.
Kenyan President William Ruto held an emergency meeting to address the crisis, which caused chaos in the city with blocked roads, bridges, and flooded homes.
Residents have been urged to stay alert as more heavy rains are forecast.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of Kenya's government announced that the government will take necessary actions to protect people from the ongoing heavy rains and floods, particularly those living in vulnerable areas.
The UN humanitarian response agency OCHA reported that in Somalia, the Gu rains have intensified since April 19, resulting in flash floods, four deaths, and displacement of over 800 people.
Last year, over 300 people died in floods and rains in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, just as the region was recovering from a severe drought.
Between October 1997 and January 1998, massive floods caused over 6,000 deaths in five countries in the region.
The UN's World Meteorological Organization identified El Nino, which peaked in December, as one of the strongest ever recorded.
Although El Nino is weakening, its effects will continue through March to May, leading to above-normal temperatures over almost all land areas due to the trapped heat caused by greenhouse gases.
Translation:
Translated by AI
