Tanzania’s environmental regulator has urged residents to clear drains, properly dispose of waste and prepare their surroundings for heavy rains, warning that poor preparation could increase the risk of flooding, loss of life and damage to property.
The National Environment Management Council (NEMC) issued the call after the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) warned of the possibility of heavy rainfall associated with an El Niño weather pattern.
NEMC’s acting communications and public relations manager, Martha Kawishe, said residents should not wait for heavy rains to begin before clearing drainage systems.
“We should ensure our surroundings are clean, drains and waterways are cleared and waste is properly managed,” Kawishe told journalists on Sept. 3.
“Let us not wait for heavy rains before rushing to clean them, because by then we risk losing lives, property and affecting people’s health and Tanzania’s economic development,” she said.
The warning highlights the role of urban planning and waste management in reducing the impact of heavy rainfall.
Blocked drainage channels and poorly managed waste can restrict water flows, increasing the likelihood of flooding in densely populated areas.
Kawishe urged residents to take responsibility for environmental management in their communities and to regularly follow official weather updates so they can act before severe weather arrives.
She also called on businesses, markets and project developers to comply with environmental laws and regulations, saying stronger enforcement could help reduce risks associated with heavy rainfall.
NEMC would take legal action where environmental laws and regulations were breached, she said, adding that enforcement was intended to protect both communities and the environment.
Kawishe also urged journalists to use their platforms to educate the public about environmental protection and practical measures to reduce the impact of heavy rains.
“Heavy rains should not become a source of disasters that can be prevented,” she said, urging residents to keep drains, rivers and waterways clear and ensure waste was properly managed.