Dar
es Salaam — The Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) has
issued a weather alert for heavy rainfall in select parts of eight regions
across the country on Sunday, November 24, 2024.
In
a statement released yesterday Saturday, November 23, at 9:30 AM, TMA
highlighted the regions likely to experience significant rainfall. These
include the Northern Highlands regions of Arusha, Manyara, and Kilimanjaro, the
Central regions of Singida and Dodoma, and the Western regions of Kigoma,
Tabora, and Katavi.
TMA
emphasized that the likelihood of these rains occurring is moderate, with
corresponding potential impacts also rated as moderate. The authority warned of
possible flooding in some residential areas and urged residents to stay
vigilant and prepare for potential disruptions.
Key
sectors, including transportation, urban management, and disaster response
agencies, have been advised to remain on high alert. The advisory extends to
agriculture, food security, livestock, fisheries, natural resources, wildlife,
tourism, energy, water, health, and private sectors to mitigate risks tied to
the seasonal rains.
Earlier,
on October 31, 2024, TMA’s Acting Director General, Ladislaus Chang’a, provided
a seasonal rainfall outlook in a media briefing. He highlighted the expected
weather patterns for regions experiencing a single rainy season annually. These
include areas in the Western, Central, Southern Highlands, Southern regions,
the Southern Coastal Strip, and the southern parts of the Morogoro region.
According
to Chang’a, regions like Kigoma, Tabora, Katavi, Rukwa, Songwe, Singida, and
Dodoma, as well as parts of Lindi, Mbeya, and Iringa, are likely to experience
average to below-average rainfall. On the other hand, Njombe, Ruvuma, Mtwara,
and southern parts of Lindi, Mbeya, Iringa, and Morogoro are forecast to
receive average to above-average rainfall.
Rainfall
in Kigoma started in late October, gradually spreading to other regions in
November. Meanwhile, Ruvuma is expected to experience its first rains by
December.
The
second half of the rainy season, spanning February to April 2025, is
anticipated to bring more intense rainfall compared to the first half from
November 2024 to January 2025.
Residents
and stakeholders are urged to heed these warnings, stay informed, and take
necessary precautions to safeguard lives and property.
