The government has ordered an urgent clean-up of roads and drainage systems ahead of El Niño rains expected from October to December, warning authorities to act before heavy rains expose weaknesses in urban infrastructure.
The directive puts local authorities under pressure to clear blocked drains, remove waste and prepare vulnerable roads before the rains arrive, in a move aimed at reducing flooding and disruptions to transport, businesses and essential services.
Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi yesterday directed the President’s Office–Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), the Ministry of Works and other responsible institutions to launch a special campaign to prepare the country’s drainage and road networks.
The directive follows a warning from the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) on the expected El Niño rains.
“A rapid campaign should be conducted, water channels and drainage systems should be cleared, and roads should be prepared,” Mr Ndejembi said.
The order comes as authorities have only a short period to address drainage and road problems before the expected rains begin.
Blocked drainage systems can quickly turn heavy rainfall into flooding, particularly in densely populated urban areas. The resulting disruption can affect public transport, businesses, schools, hospitals and other essential services.
Mr Ndejembi also ordered authorities to ensure that waste, mud and soil removed from drainage channels are immediately taken to designated disposal areas.
Leaving the material beside roads could undermine the clean-up exercise because rainwater can wash it back into drainage systems, reducing their capacity to carry water.
The Vice President called for joint action by the Office of the Vice President, PO-RALG, the Ministry of Works and institutions under them to strengthen preparedness and reduce the potential impact of the rains.
PO-RALG Minister Prof Riziki Shemdoe said his ministry had already started implementing measures to improve environmental cleanliness in cities.
He said the measures were also part of implementing President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s directive issued on September 2, 2026, calling for improved cleanliness in cities.
Prof Shemdoe said he met regional commissioners, city leaders and municipal authorities in Dar es Salaam on September 7 and directed them to implement a two-week special environmental cleanliness campaign.
The government’s approach is to deal with potential flooding before it occurs. This is important because clearing drainage systems after flooding has started can be more difficult and costly.
Prof Shemdoe also presented a preparedness strategy prepared through the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) to prevent and respond to damage to road infrastructure caused by the rains.
The strategy outlines measures for preparing roads and dealing with possible damage during the rainy season.
The effectiveness of the government’s preparations will ultimately depend on implementation at the local level. Clearing drains before the rains will have limited impact if waste is not properly disposed of or drainage channels are allowed to become blocked again.
With October approaching, authorities now have a narrow window to turn the government’s preparedness orders into action before the first heavy rains test the country’s drainage and road infrastructure.
