“The death toll has now reached 47, up from 23 earlier announced,” Manyara regional commissioner Queen Sendiga told Xinhua over the phone. “The number of injured persons is 85.”
Describing the situation as “horrifying,” Sendiga said that one village had been completely engulfed by mudflow, suggesting a potential rise in the number of casualties.
Hanang district in the Manyara region is predominantly inhabited by traditional livestock keepers. The region has a population of about 1.9 million, according to the 2022 population census.
The Tanzania Meteorological Authority in August issued an advisory for the September-December rainfall season, warning that the season was more likely to be influenced by El Nino conditions. It also warned that the rains could have devastating consequences, including flooding and disruption of businesses and transport.
AMK/PR
