Dodoma. Tanzania has estimated that about TZS 730 billion could be required to prepare for, respond to and recover from potential disasters associated with El Niño-related heavy rains during the 2026/27 rainy season, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Parliamentary Affairs, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi said on Wednesday.
Addressing journalists in Dodoma on September 2, 2026, Prof. Kabudi stressed that the figure should not be interpreted as money already allocated or set aside in the national budget specifically for El Niño.
He said the TZS 730 billion is an overall contingency estimate of what could potentially be required if severe weather-related disasters occur across the country.
“The forecast is a forecast. We hope it does not result in disasters, but if it does, we must be prepared to respond,” Prof. Kabudi said, explaining the rationale behind the government’s planning.
The clarification comes as Tanzania intensifies preparations following weather projections indicating the possibility of heavier-than-normal rainfall and associated risks, including flooding, landslides and damage to critical infrastructure.
Prof. Kabudi said the government’s approach was based on preparing for possible risks without creating unnecessary alarm among the public.
The Prime Minister’s Office has coordinated a national emergency plan involving ministries, government departments and agencies, regional and local authorities, development partners, UN agencies and non-governmental organisations.
The plan covers four broad areas: preparedness, prevention and mitigation, response, and recovery.
Preparedness measures include developing emergency response plans, strengthening coordination systems and positioning rescue equipment and other essential supplies before disasters occur.
Prevention and mitigation efforts include inspecting and strengthening bridges, dams, drainage systems, riverbanks and other infrastructure located in vulnerable areas.
If disasters occur, the response phase would involve rescue operations, emergency assistance, food supplies, temporary shelters and other humanitarian support.
The recovery phase would focus on restoring damaged roads, bridges, electricity infrastructure, water systems and other public facilities.
Prof. Kabudi said the actual cost could be significantly lower than TZS 730 billion if the anticipated heavy rains do not result in widespread disasters requiring extensive response and reconstruction.
The government separately allocated TZS 10 billion in the 2026/27 national budget to support implementation of preparedness measures, while other activities will be financed through existing budgets of ministries, government institutions and local authorities according to their responsibilities.
The emergency plan also includes measures to ensure continuity of essential services, including healthcare, education, transport, electricity, clean water, waste management and communications.
Authorities are preparing food reserves, rescue equipment, emergency supplies and temporary shelters, while public awareness campaigns are expected to help communities understand and respond to weather-related risks.
The government is preparing for a range of hazards that could accompany heavy rainfall, including floods, lightning, landslides and possible outbreaks of diseases affecting people, livestock and crops.
Authorities have been directed to identify high-risk areas, assess potential hazards and facilitate the relocation of people living in particularly dangerous locations where necessary.
Government agencies have also been instructed to inspect bridges and culverts, clear drainage systems and waterways, strengthen riverbanks and dams, and improve environmental management.
On August 26, 2026, the Prime Minister’s Office directed authorities in 14 regions considered potentially vulnerable to flooding to strengthen preparedness and response measures.
The regions are Kagera, Geita, Mwanza, Shinyanga, Simiyu, Kigoma, Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Pwani, Morogoro, Mara, Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Manyara.
Authorities in the affected regions have been instructed to identify vulnerable communities and infrastructure, prepare evacuation arrangements and ensure essential services can continue during emergencies.
The Tanzania Meteorological Authority has also been urged to continue providing timely and accurate weather information, with the public encouraged to rely on official forecasts.
Prof. Kabudi said disaster preparedness should not be viewed as the responsibility of the central government alone.
He called for the involvement of regional and local authorities, the private sector, humanitarian organisations, civil society, religious institutions, the media and communities.
At the same time, he urged Tanzanians to view the expected rainfall not only as a potential threat but also as an opportunity, particularly for agriculture, livestock keeping, water harvesting and fishing.
Farmers have been encouraged to use appropriate farming practices, plant suitable crops with quality seeds and protect harvested food from potential damage caused by excessive rainfall.
Authorities have also been directed to strengthen measures against disease outbreaks affecting people, animals and crops.
The media, Prof. Kabudi said, has an important role in providing accurate and properly contextualised information to prevent unnecessary public alarm while ensuring communities receive timely warnings.
Citizens have likewise been encouraged to follow official weather updates and promptly report disasters to the relevant authorities.
The government’s strategy, Prof. Kabudi said, is therefore not simply about responding after disasters occur, but about anticipating risks, reducing vulnerabilities and taking preventive action before heavy rains arrive.
The TZS 730 billion figure is consequently a contingency planning estimate, not a TZS 730 billion budget allocation for El Niño, he emphasised.