AVALANCHE CAUSED BY HEAVY RAINFALL KILLED 20 IN SAME

It is predictade heavy rainfall to many parts of the country this year and it has already been reported heavy rainfalls to some parts of the country, tanzanians should be awere and be prepared.

FROM THIS DAY NOVEMBER 13, 2009


AT least 20 people were killed in Same District, Kilimanjaro Region on Wednesday night after rocks and boulders loosened by heavy rains buried several houses in two villages.

Seven other people have been reported missing, raising fears that the death toll could rise from the flash floods and mudslides in Kambeni and Goha Villages, Myamba Ward in the district.

Scores of locals were yesterday digging alongside police through mud, rock and debris in the affected areas, looking for missing persons and trying to recover more bodies.

The flash floods hit the two villages before dawn yesterday, while most locals were still in bed.

The Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Lucas Ng�hoboko, said at least seven children were among the dead.

He named the deceased victims so far identified as Neema Shambi (70), Napenda Bakari (7), Namsemba Bakari (11), Sikuzani Elitaabu (20), Nath John (12), Haika Charles (3), Mariam Juma (4), Wemael Mhina (30), Ruth Mhina (6), Neema Bakari (8), and Christina Kiondo (32).

Others were Elitabu Shambi (30), Shambi Elineema (11), Ndimangwa Elineema (5), Amani Mhina (9), Kiondo Amani (37), Imani Kiondo (9) and Nikundiwe Kiondo (5).

It is understood that those who died were trapped inside houses that were swallowed by mud and boulders swept down from the mountains by the heavy rains.

Some of the still-missing villagers have been identified as Rafiki Elineema, Bakari Shambi, Amina Bakari, and Navuri Bakari.

Ng�hoboko said a police squad from the neighbouring Tanga Region is helping with the ongoing rescue efforts in the devastated area.

Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner Ms Monica Mbega was also present with other government officials at the scene of the disaster yesterday.

One villager, Mhina Aman, said he had lost his entire family in the flash floods, comprising his wife and two children.

Mhina said his brother, his brother’s wife, and two of their children were also missing.

Authorities said they would issue a formal statement today on the exact death toll and damage caused by the mudslides.

It could not be immediately confirmed if the flash floods were caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon.

Weather experts have already warned that the country will be hit by heavy El Nino rains towards the end of this year.

Meteorologists say the expected heavy rainfall is likely to cause serious damage to infrastructure and worsen the food situation.

It is predicted that Dar es Salaam, Coast, Tanga, Lindi, Mwanza, Kagera and Mara regions - plus parts of Kigoma Region - will experience particularly heavy rainfall.