As Tanzanians woke to flooded streets, stranded schoolchildren, and impassable roads in Dar es Salaam, the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) has sounded a fresh alarm: brace for two more days of heavy downpours across key coastal regions.
Beginning today, Monday, April 14, 2025, six regions, Tanga, Morogoro, Dar es Salaam, Lindi, Mtwara, along with the islands of Mafia, Unguja, and Pemba, are expected to experience intense rainfall, raising fears of further flooding, transport paralysis, and damage to property.
Last night’s heavy rains were a preview of what may come. In Dar es Salaam, water submerged residential areas and roads in places such as Jangwani, Mkwajuni, Posta, and Mabibo. Commuters faced gridlock, vehicles were trapped in rising waters, and informal “ferry” services popped up as residents paid to be carried across flooded areas.
At Gongolamboto, pedestrians paid up to Sh1,000 to cross waterlogged sections. Children in school uniforms waded through muddy water or were lifted over flooded paths for Sh200. Nearby, others risked walking across a submerged railway culvert along the electric train route.
Further west, in Kimara King’ongo, part of the road collapsed, leaving the neighborhood nearly cut off and highlighting the infrastructure strain caused by extreme weather.
“This isn't just rain — it's a warning,” said Winfrida Kisanga, a food vendor in Kitunda. “If it continues like this, we’ll see real disaster.”
TMA’s warning extends through Tuesday, April 15, 2025, with forecasts pointing to continued rainfall and possible moderate impacts such as homes surrounded by floodwater and roads becoming unusable.
The situation recalls the chaos of April 6, 2025, when torrential rains in Kilwa, Lindi Region, cut off highway connections between Dar es Salaam and the southern regions. Bridges, including those at Somanga–Mtama and Mto Matandu, were swept away, further compounding mobility challenges for residents and transporters.
TMA urges residents in all affected regions to remain alert, avoid low-lying areas, and monitor official updates. Authorities also advise postponing non-essential travel.
But for many, the damage has already begun.
“The rain doesn’t knock before it enters,” said Zainabu Issa, a resident of Jangwani, as she tried to sweep water out of her home. “We just try to survive it.”