Early morning ‘vuli’ rains flood most of Dar

DAILY NEWS Reporter

MOST parts of Dar es Salaam City yesterday experienced heavy rains that pounded the city for almost five hours, wreaking havoc on the infrastructure as a number of roads were rendered inaccessible.

A survey by this newspaper witnessed floods engulfing most residential neighbourhoods, especially the low-lying ones, like Mkwajuni, Jangwani and Msimbazi valleys.
A number of rivers across the city, mostly water-free during the dry season, were transformed into raging ones as the rains, which began falling from sunrise to mid-day, left most parts of the metropolis flooded and residents scurrying for shelter.
It once again sent a message across to concerned authorities on the vulnerability of most areas in the sprawling city on the occasion of heavy downpours. The Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) said the rains, which are now being experienced in various parts of the country, are ‘normal short ones’, further sounding an alert that some parts may experience heavy downpours during the season.
Speaking to ‘Daily News’ in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Acting TMA Director General, Dr Ladislaus Chang’a, said the rains were originally forecast to start in October, but have been late.
“These are ‘Vuli’ rains as per our November outlook, which is likely to continue over most areas of the country,” the senior weather agency official noted. He added that normal to below normal rainfall was expected over the Lake Victoria basin as mainly below normal rains are expected elsewhere.
Dr Chang’a said the public should be on alert as some areas will be experiencing heavy rains. He further noted that in most parts of the country, the ‘vuli’ rains will extend to April, but for Dar es Salaam and Northern Coast of Tanga, Coast and Morogoro regions and Unguja and Pemba Islands, they will end next month.
In its November weather outlook, TMA had forecast a mainly dry season with little chance of rain showers, especially during the third to fourth week of the month. Moreover, their statement also said ‘slightly hot conditions’ were expected.
The Northern Eastern Highlands in the regions of Kilimanjaro, Arusha and Manyara regions will experience mainly dry season with little chance of rain showers commencing during the third week of November.
According to the forecast, the Lake Victoria Basin along Kagera, Geita, Shinyanga, Mwanza, Mara and Simiyu regions will have moderate rain showers associated with thunderstorms in some areas.
Western regions (Kigoma, Katavi and Tabora regions) will experience isolated rain showers and thunderstorms. Central areas (Dodoma and Singida regions) will have a dry and warm season with occasional windy conditions.
In the South-Western Highlands (Rukwa, Njombe, Iringa and Mbeya regions), dry conditions with occasional rains over high grounds are expected. Southern Coast (Mtwara and Lindi regions) dry and slightly warm conditions, with rain showers over few areas and periods of strong winds are expected.