One killed as heavy rains pound Dar es Salaam

Heavy rains pounded some parts of Dar es Salaam resulting in flash floods that killed a man and submerging some houses and roads in the city yesterday morning.

Residents in flood-prone areas of Jangwani and Msimbazi were caught unawares after it rained for more than two hours, flooding Msimbazi River and drowning a man only identified by a single name, Emmanuel.

The Fire Brigade arrived at Jangwani area in the morning for the rescue mission which saw them recovering the body. Eyewitnesses said the deceased was known by his first name ‘Ima’ (Emmanuel) and is known for roving the area collecting empty plastic bottles for sell, to eke a living.

“The Fire Brigade covered the body with a they used a small boat to rescue residents trapped in their houses that were submerged in water. A snap survey by the ‘Daily News’ revealed that houses and major roads in various parts of the city were flooded leading to traffic jams and destruction of property.

Infrastructure of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on a section along Morogoro Road was covered by flooding water and the head office of the Usafiri Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (UDART), located at Jangwani grounds, was partially submerged.

Some streets in the city centre were impassable as water drainage systems had been clogged, resulting in floods.

Some residents, who were affected by the floods, told the ‘Daily News’ that they had to abandon their houses to save their lives, leaving their properties inside  khanga, before carrying it to the mortuary,” one of the eyewitnesses said, adding that thereafter, they used a small boat to rescue residents trapped in their houses that were submerged in water.

A snap survey by the ‘Daily News’ revealed that houses and major roads in various parts of the city were flooded leading to traffic jams and destruction of property.

Infrastructure of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on a section along Morogoro Road was covered by flooding water and the head office of the Usafiri Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (UDART), located at Jangwani grounds, was partially submerged.

Some streets in the city centre were impassable as water drainage systems had been clogged, resulting in floods. Some residents, who were affected by the floods, told the ‘Daily News’ that they had to abandon their houses to save their lives, leaving their properties inside.