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Parts of drought-hit Tanzania face water crisis

Xinhua, January 22, 2017 Adjust font size:

Over 3,000 villagers in Tanzania's Simiyu region are facing water scarcity due to prolonged drought in most parts of the east African nation caused by climate change, authorities said on Sunday.

Merchades Anaclet, Executive Director for Maswa Urban Water and Sewerage Authority in Simiyu region, said 3,229 villagers in the district will start receiving rationed water after most of the rivers had dried up due to prolonged drought.

"Eleven villages have been seriously affected by the drought and villagers will have to get rationed water," said Anaclet.

He said authorities have failed to provide enough water for the 11 villages because the drought that started last year.

He said the villagers were now being supplied with water for only 10 hours a day instead of being supplied with the precious liquid on 24-hour basis.

Anaclet mentioned villages to be rationed with water as Anzui, Malita, Mwabayanda, Dakama, Hinduki, Mwadila, Buyubi, Mwasita, Mwigwa, Lyogole and Badabada.

Long spells of drought has caused food shortages in some parts of the east African nation but Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa last week allayed fears of famine across the country.

Majaliwa said Tanzania was not facing any food shortage and urged Tanzanians to dismiss rumours of famine.

"The government is the only authority to release reports on food shortage. Reports that Tanzania is facing food shortage are completely false," said the PM in the political capital Dodoma.

Majaliwa made the statement following reports in local media and religious organizations claiming that Tanzania was facing food shortage.

"Last year the country had food surplus to the tune of three million tonnes, a situation that made Members of Parliament and traders to request the government to give permits for selling the surplus food abroad," said Majaliwa.

He said the government released the permits and 1.5 million tonnes were exported abroad and the remaining 1.5 million tonnes were reserved for use in the country. Endit