STORY: 155 dead, 236 injured as torrential rains hit Tanzania
SHOOTING TIME: April 25, 2024
DATELINE: April 26, 2024
LENGTH: 0:03:16
LOCATION: Dar es Salaam
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. Various residents crossing flooded areas
2. SOUNDBITE (Swahili): FINELA SHAYO, Assistant Inspector Fire and Rescue, Dar es Salaam
3. Various residents crossing flooded areas

STORYLINE:

Flash floods caused by ongoing torrential rains have left 155 dead and 236 others injured in Tanzania, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa told parliament on Thursday.

Flash floods have been reported in 14 out of the 26 regions in mainland Tanzania, affecting 200,000 people and damaging 10,000 houses, Majaliwa told the House in the capital, Dodoma.

SOUNDBITE (Swahili): FINELA SHAYO, Assistant Inspector Fire and Rescue, Dar es Salaam
"We recently rescued four men, who were stuck in the water and their cars. We just managed to rescue them but not the cars. Rain will continue for more days so we advise people to take precautions, and necessary measures to avoid further disasters."

School infrastructure, farm crops, roads, bridges, health facilities, and livestock were impacted by the floods, he said.

The government has taken steps aimed at preventing further catastrophic situations, like ordering the closure of schools in areas severely affected by the floods, Majaliwa said.

The Tanzania National Roads Agency, the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency, and the Tanzania Railways Corporation have been ordered to undertake an urgent assessment of damaged roads and railways for immediate renovation, he said.

The heavy rains, influenced by El-Nino conditions, are expected to last through May, according to the Tanzania Meteorological Authority.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Dar es Salaam.
(XHTV)