Tanzania reports losses during the coastal cyclone Hidaya

With five more deaths and seven more injuries, Tanzania’s government said on Thursday that the official death toll now stands at 166, as Cyclone Hidaya tore through the nation’s southeast on the Indian Ocean coast.

On May 4, 2024, Cyclone Hidaya made landfall in Tanzania, having a negative impact on the regions of Mtwara, Lindi, Coast, and Morogoro.

According to Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa’s address in parliament on Thursday, the tragedy damaged 877 houses, submerged 543 houses, and affected 18,862 people.

“Some roads and bridges have been washed away by the intense rains, and electric power poles have also been destroyed as a result of the cyclone,” he said.

“There has also been the destruction of social service structures, including schools and health facilities,” he continued.

He went on to say that Cyclone Hidaya had stopped commercial enterprises, farming, and fishing.

According to Majaliwa, a 200-meter stretch of the Lindi-Dar es Salaam highway has been unplugged in Somanga.

An approximate of 2,534 persons are thought to be trapped. Majaliwa said that some passengers and cars had returned to Lindi town, while others had gone to Dar es Salaam via the Songea road. Still more had gone back to Dar es Salaam from Somanga.

According to Majaliwa, the rainfall levels recorded by the meteorological stations in Kilwa and Mtwara in May were record highs of 316 millimeters and 99 millimeters, respectively, compared to typical levels of 96.6 millimeters and 54 millimeters.

“The 316 millimeters of rainfall that Kilwa recorded in 36 hours is equivalent to three years’ worth of rainfall for May, specifically for 2024, 2025, and 2026, under normal circumstances,” the man stated.

He stated that in addition to restoring roads and building temporary bridges, the government is also evaluating the state of the damaged electrical infrastructure.

Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads), Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (Tarura), and Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) received eight directives on disaster management from Majaliwa.

In order to guarantee that aid and humanitarian assistance reach the appropriate disaster victims, he also oversaw disaster management committees.