HEAVY FLOODING RAINS

FLOODING RAIN CAUSES HAVOC

The flooding rain, better described in English Saying as “cats and dogs”, devastated certain areas of Dar es Salaam city and claimed twelve lives of people. The gushing flow of water passed over bridges and culverts, disrupted some tar-make roads and movement of traffic came to standstill at many places.

For almost three days, it was nothing but stories of heavy rains as predicted by the Met People. The coastal belt was seriously affected but up-country was not spared too. Dwellers in the valley of Jangwani who were under stern warning to vacate their unplanned houses, appeared to suffer the most as water level kept rising in the houses.

President Dr. Jakaya Kikwete in the company of Dar es Salaam Region bosses including Ag. R.C. Raymond Mushi, and Police Chief Special Zone Suleiman Kova visited the devastated areas in Temeke and Ilala districts. On spot instructions were issued to TANROADS officers to ensure quick solution to the clogged water flow. 

Accumulated discarded plastic bags, tree branches, plastic bottles and mud blocked the course of flood water and burst the banks. As the heavy rains continued to pound the coastal areas, weak houses collapsed and many people were rendered homeless. Some were advised to find shelter in school classes while others took temporary shelter at the houses of neighbor.

Minister of State (Tamisemi) Hawa Ghasia stated in the Parliament during the budget session that TShs. 600 billion would be spent to improve the infrastructures of Dar es Salaam city and the Rapid Transport project going on in the city centre. The monetary loan is from the World Bank. 

The long bridge joining Bagamoyo District and Kinondoni District which had collapsed during the heavy rains last year, was repaired and appeared to bear the fast flow of water underneath. The “dead river” was alive again with  un-interrupted rapid flow of rain water. Residents of Bagamoyo experienced light shower on Wednesday.

Story & Pictures by Abdul Hai

Bagamoyo News

The Bagamoyo Road experienced "new river" flow. The road-side flower pots sellers had to vacate from  their shops for a safer place elsewhere. Notice  the flamingo and ostrich. These  are not natural.