Heavy monsoon rains have resulted in severe flooding across Tanzania and Kenya, leading to significant casualties and widespread damage. In Tanzania, the Prime Minister reported that 155 people have perished, and over 200,000 have been impacted by the continuous downpours, particularly in coastal areas and the capital, Dar es Salaam. This death toll has more than doubled in the past two weeks as rains intensified, causing the closure of schools and destruction of vital infrastructure. Over 51,000 households have suffered due to the flooding.
Meanwhile, in Kenya, the death toll has reached 70 since the onset of the monsoon in March, with the situation worsening rapidly in recent days. Flooding in Nairobi’s Mathare slum has been particularly deadly, with several bodies recovered from inundated homes and the nearby river.
Both governments are responding vigorously, with Tanzanian officials urging relocation for those in vulnerable areas and Kenyan President William Ruto directing national agencies to provide relief and accommodation for the displaced. The El Niño climate pattern, contributing to the severity of the season’s rains, is expected to continue affecting the region until the dry season starts in June.
