The death toll in northern Tanzania has climbed to 63 as announced by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on Monday, December 4, following severe floods caused by torrential rains over the weekend. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has curtailed her visit to the COP28 climate summit in Dubai to address the aftermath of the intense rains, which triggered deadly floods and landslides.
These calamitous events in Tanzania coincide with a series of extreme weather incidents across East African countries, claiming the lives of hundreds since the onset of seasonal rains in October.
Prime Minister Majaliwa, speaking in a televised statement, revealed that at least 63 individuals lost their lives, and 116 others sustained injuries due to the floods in northern Tanzania. He expressed the devastating impact on villages, noting that landslides had obliterated half of one community he visited.
During a ceremony bidding farewell to the deceased in Hanang district, the Prime Minister conveyed, “We are here in front of bodies of our fellows. We have lost 63 loved ones. Of the total fellows we lost, 23 are men and 40 are women.” He emphasized the tragic nature of the situation, acknowledging it as a national calamity.
Zuhura Yunus, spokesperson for President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s office, provided details on the broader impact, stating that floods and landslides had affected 1,150 households (equivalent to 5,600 people) and ravaged 750 acres of farmland. Tanzania’s government responded by deploying 400 rescue workers to the distressed northern Hanang district.
However, rescue efforts are encountering obstacles, including defective telecommunications and blocked or damaged roads, as highlighted by Yunus in a statement on Monday. In response to the disaster, President Samia, currently attending COP28 in Dubai, decided to cut her trip short and return to the country promptly.
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