Havoc as Tanzania floods death toll rises

Submerged. . . . .

The heavy rains that rocked Dar es Salaam and other parts of the country have continued to cause untold suffering among citizens as the death toll rises to 13 and is expected to rise. More people are feared dead while many have been displaced and are still to be accounted for by their families. The rains have brought business almost to a standstill in the city with infrastructures such as roads and bridges being destroyed.

Most people whose houses are in low lying areas continue to count their losses as they had to be rescued to higher ground in a bid to save their lives. Property worth billions of shillings has been destroyed comprising household goods, vehicles, road infrastructure, shops and many small trader markets.

Various properties such as mattresses, fridges, TV sets and other household goods could be seen being swept away by the floods and many people were positioning themselves strategically to collect these goods for their own use. Some new items such as pipes, new pairs of shoes and clothes could also be seen with many people jostling to get a hand on them.



Police officers asses a damaged road in Dar es salaam.

Confusion reigned supreme as many people panicked and in a bid to save their lives some climbed on top of trees and roofs of buildings waiting for rescuers. The rescuers used helicopters and speed boats.

Today, the rains are continuing unabated but are lighter giving hope to citizens that the floods are ending. A snap survey yesterday by Bongoblast revealed that the effects of the foods were severe with many people failing to report for work while many businesses remained closed. Transport was problematic and many people resorted to walk from town to various residential areas.

Disease outbreaks

Fears are now rife that there might be outbreaks of disease such as cholera and the government should prepare and make sure that should the outbreak occurs, then they will be in a position to deal with it.

Many affected people are still to return to their houses as they are covered by water. And, with the rains continuing, then it might take time before the water subsidies. With the Christmass holiday nearing, many people are set to have one of their dulliest holidays as they will either spend it out of their residences or trying to force ends meet after all their properties have been lost in the floods.

The rescue operation continues in the city though the water is beginning to subsidies.

The picture combo below shows the effects of floods in various parts of the city.





END OF THE ROAD. . . The fate of the driver of this government vehicle is unknown after the vehicle plunged into a gorge created by the floods in Mbezi, Dar es Salaam.


Some flood victims had to climb on top of the roofs of their houses to save their lives as depicted in the picture.





An aerial view of submerged houses along the Jangwani valley in Dar es salaam.




Houses submerged along the Jangwani valley, in Dar es Salaam.

Picture sources: Michuzi, Full Shangwe and Daily Mitikasi blogs