Heavy El Niño rains have wreaked havoc in Tanzania's Mara Region, claiming the life of a child and damaging over 400 houses in Bunda and Rorya districts. The devastating impact of the rains was reported on October 31, 2026, by Mara Regional Commissioner, Brigadier General Evans Mtambi. The commissioner delivered condolence messages at the funeral of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Camillus Wambura's father, Deusdedit Wambura, who was 100 years old.
Brigadier General Mtambi condemned individuals who had been ridiculing weather forecasts warning of El Niño rains, emphasizing that the rains were real and had already started causing damage. He directed people living in valleys and other high-risk areas to relocate immediately to avoid potential disasters. The regional commissioner also urged residents to continue taking precautions, citing the dangers that can be avoided if people remain vigilant.
On October 24, 2026, Bunda District Commissioner, Dr Halfan Haule, reported that more than 360 houses had sustained varying degrees of damage, including collapsing, following El Niño rains accompanied by strong winds in Bunda District, Mara Region. The situation had forced some families to seek shelter with relatives and friends, while the government had provided food assistance to affected households.
According to Dr Haule, assessments of the damage were still ongoing, with 50 of the affected houses having collapsed completely and were no longer habitable. Three wards in the district had so far been affected, including Kabasa, Hunyari, and Mcharo wards, all within Bunda Town Council. The rains, which fell on October 21 and 22, 2026, had a devastating impact on the area.
The Bunda District Commissioner appealed to stakeholders to contribute building materials to help affected homeowners rebuild their houses and resume their normal lives. He noted that food supplies were washed away by the water, and the affected families were staying with relatives. The government had provided food assistance to the victims, but more support was needed to help them recover.
Brigadier General Mtambi also urged residents to continue with their economic activities, including cultivating crops that could withstand heavy rainfall, saying this would help strengthen food security and support the livelihoods of farmers and other citizens. He emphasized the importance of taking precautions, particularly keeping pupils away from school whenever dangerous weather conditions were anticipated.
The El Niño rains have highlighted the need for preparedness and vigilance in the face of extreme weather events. Authorities have urged residents to remain alert and take necessary precautions to minimize the impact of the rains. The government has also provided assistance to affected households, but more support is needed to help communities recover from the devastating effects of the El Niño rains.
Key points
- One child has died and over 400 houses have been damaged in Bunda and Rorya districts in Mara Region due to El Niño rains.
- Authorities have urged residents to take precautions and relocate from high-risk areas to avoid potential disasters.
- The government has provided food assistance to affected households, but more support is needed to help communities recover from the devastating effects of the El Niño rains.
