Over 4000 people displaced as Tanzania floods death toll shoots to 23

The number of people who perished in floods that rocked Dar es Salaam early this week has risen to 23 while more than 4000 people were forced to abandon their residences and have been housed at three stations in the city.

The situation continued to be unbearable as almost all the affected areas remained inaccessible and with the looks of things, will remain so for a long time to come as flood water continue covering these areas.

Though no serious rains were witnessed on Thursday, a visit by Bongo Blast discovered that valleys and low lying areas such as Jangwani and those along Msimbazi River remain engulfed with flood water making it difficult for those affected to go back.

Displaced people have been housed in schools and health centres in Kinondoni and Ilala districts. Aid has started to flow in as good Samaritans were donating in cash and kind.

There is urgent need of aid as there are many people who need food, clothing, clean water, bedding and other humanitarian needs. There are fears of an outbreak of diseases such as cholera and malaria as many of these people don’t have access to clean food and water and to mosquito nets to cover themselves at night