As Kenyans continue to scratch their heads, looking upon the skies waiting for the long rains to pound, Neighbouring country of Tanzania is wailing and cursing the rains thanks to the havoc it’s currently causing the country.
Official reports from Tanzania states that the floods have killed five people and forced about 2,500 to flee their homes after a week of torrential rain in the country’s southern regions.
According to reports, schools have closed in Kyela, a district on the border of Lake Malawi, and families fled to shelters after losing everything in the rising waters.
“The damage from these floods is enormous,” said Salome Magambo, the district’s administrative secretary. “Since the beginning of the week, we have reported five people killed and 2,570 homeless, some of whom are staying with friends or in schools and churches.”
Food and medical services have been extended to those stranded, she added. Farming land in the district known for its rice production has also been inundated, destroying crops and raising fears of food shortages in coming months.
This comes as farmers in Kenya continue to brace the hard dry seasons that has affected most of their planted crops. The scarcity of rain in the country has led to the scarcity of water resources for drinking, sanitation and industrial use as well as for power generation.
Generally, sunny and dry weather conditions have prevailed over most of the country during this season.
Western Highlands that used to receive enough rains like Kisii, Nyamira, Bungoma, Trans-Nzoia, Kakamega, Busia, Homa Bay, Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Kericho have so far recorded low amounts of rainfall this year.