By Our Reporter
Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds have damaged more than 360 houses, including 50 that have been completely destroyed, in Bunda District, Mara Region, leaving several families homeless and forcing them to seek temporary shelter from relatives and friends.
The destruction has also resulted in the loss of household belongings and food supplies, increasing the vulnerability of affected families as the rainy season continues.
Bunda District Commissioner Dr Halfan Haule said on Saturday, October 24, 2026, that the government had begun providing food assistance to affected households as authorities continued assessing the extent of the damage.
He said the rains, which fell on October 21 and 22, affected Kabasa, Hunyari and Mcharo wards in Bunda Town Council, with some houses collapsing completely and others sustaining varying degrees of damage.
"In Nyamilama Street alone, 65 houses have been affected, six of which have completely collapsed. Some household food supplies were also swept away by water, forcing families to seek shelter from relatives. Following our visit to the affected areas, we identified food as an immediate need and have provided assistance," he said.
Dr Haule appealed to stakeholders to support affected families with construction materials to help them rebuild their homes and restore their livelihoods.
He also urged residents to inspect their houses, strengthen structurally weak buildings and take precautionary measures to minimise further damage as heavy rains continue.
Kabasa Ward has recorded some of the worst damage, with more than 135 houses affected.
The ward councillor, Mr Daniel Magembe, said 11 houses had collapsed completely, leaving some families without shelter and food after their household supplies were destroyed.
"Some of the affected families have sought shelter from relatives. We appreciate the government's intervention and its visit to assess the situation. Those affected have also received food assistance," he said.
He added that some homeowners had lost all their belongings because they were unable to retrieve them before their houses collapsed.
Meanwhile, Mara Regional Commissioner Brigadier General Evans Mtambi has urged residents to remain alert and take precautionary measures as El Niño rains continue to affect parts of the region.
Speaking during a meeting with religious leaders in Musoma on Friday, he said Bunda and Rorya districts had already experienced rain-related damage, including the destruction of a bridge in Bunda.
He said the damaged bridge had since been repaired, allowing normal services to resume.
"Damage has occurred in Bunda and Rorya districts, but no loss of human life has been reported. I urge religious leaders to continue using places of worship to educate residents about measures they can take to prevent avoidable disasters," he said.
However, Brig Gen Mtambi cautioned residents against abandoning their economic activities because of the rains, emphasising the need to balance safety precautions with the continuation of their livelihoods.
The latest destruction highlights the vulnerability of households and public infrastructure to extreme weather, with continued rainfall raising concerns about further damage, displacement and disruption of economic activities across the region.