Storm - At least 68 dead after landslide in northern Tanzania
At least 68 people have died in a landslide following heavy rain in the East African country of Tanzania. The number of casualties reported by Monday evening was 116, said Queen Sendiga, the regional commissioner for the Manyara region affected by the disaster. A team of 350 rescue experts from the army has been deployed to recover further victims. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan had announced that the government would cover the funeral costs of the victims.
The heavy rains began on Saturday evening and triggered mudslides on Mount Hanang on Sunday morning, Sendiga said. The town of Katesh, located at the foot of the mountain, was particularly affected.
Numerous countries in East Africa have been suffering from floods and inundations in connection with the El Niño weather phenomenon for weeks. According to the governments and the UN emergency aid organization OCHA, more than 200 people have lost their lives in Kenya and Somalia alone. Millions of people were forced to flee their villages and towns. The heavy rainfall followed one of the most severe droughts in the Horn of Africa.
The El Niño phenomenon, which is caused by a warming of the tropical Pacific Ocean, causes, among other things, a "reversal" of the weather with heavy rain in drought areas and drought in otherwise precipitation-rich areas. The phenomenon is usually observed every two to seven years. According to climate researchers, ongoing global warming is intensifying particularly severe El Niño events.
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The flooding and landslides due to the El Niño-induced heavy rainfall have resulted in numerous casualties, with Tanzania reporting at least 68 dead. The tragic event in the Manyara region has prompted the deployment of 350 rescue experts and a commitment from the government to cover funeral expenses.
The unfortunate incident follows a series of bad weather events in East Africa, where countries like Kenya and Somalia have also suffered from floods and loss of lives, exceeding 200. The heavy rainfall after a severe drought in the Horn of Africa has displaced millions of people.
El Niño, a weather phenomenon caused by the warming of the tropical Pacific Ocean, leads to a 'reversal' of weather, bringing heavy rain to drought areas and vice versa. This phenomenon, known to occur every 2-7 years, is currently believed to be intensified by ongoing global warming.
The city of Daressalam, Tanzania's commercial capital, and other parts of Tanzania are also experiencing heavy rain, causing additional weather-related emergencies. The heavy rain is expected to continue, leading to further concerns about floods and landslides.
The disaster in Tanzania serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of climate change on vulnerable communities. As El Niño events become more severe, the need for climate adaptation and mitigation strategies becomes increasingly urgent.
The international community is urged to provide support and resources to aid-affected countries, including Tanzania, to ensure their capacity to respond to and recover from such disasters.
Source: www.stern.de
