700 acres of crops destroyed as heavy rains hit northern Tanzania

ARUSHA, Tanzania, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Heavy rains which hit the northern Tanzania's region of Kilimanjaro region for the past two days have destroyed farms and swept away more than 700 acres of tomato and maize crops, local authorities said on Monday.

Mwanga District is one of the areas in Kilimanjaro Region which are heavily affected by the rains.

Muhidin Samwel, Kituri village chairman in Kileo ward of Mwanga District, said in an interview that the situation is worse as the rains have also destroyed more than 150 houses with 30 of them being completely submerged.

"We have found shelter for the flood victims at government schools and institutions," Samwel Said, noting that the tragedy was caused by flood waters from Ghona and Kifaru Rivers.

He said the floods also destroyed people's properties and appealed to Samaritans, institutions and non-governmental organizations to support the victims with blankets, mattresses, and foodstuff.

Rose Kessy, one of the flood victims, said the government should think of providing them with relief food as their hopes for bumper harvests this season had been dampened.

Golden Mgonzo, Mwanga District Executive Director, said the district disaster management committee will soon meet to evaluate the total damage cost and discuss on how to assist the victims.

Last week, the Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) warned there would be heavy rains this week at various parts of the country

TMA forecast that coast regions including Dar es Salaam, Coast, Tanga, and the Isles of Zanzibar would receive heavy rains accompanied by storms.

In April, 15 people were killed due to floods caused by an incessant downpour in different parts of the east African nation. Among the affected regions include Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's business capital, Arusha, Manyara, Tabora and Zanzibar archipelago. Enditem