The death toll from heavy rains and flash floods in Tanzania has risen to 47.
"The death toll has now risen to 47, from the 23 previously announced," Manyara regional commissioner Queen Sendiga told Xinhua via phone. "The number of injured persons is 85."
Rescue activities were ongoing, according to Sendiga, who said that a special rescue unit from the Tanzania People's Defence Forces joined other security organs in the search and rescue efforts on Sunday evening. "The rescue operations will continue throughout the night," she told reporters.
Sendiga stated that rescue efforts were underway to assist people trapped in the landslides on Hanang hills in the Hanang district of the Manyara region, as well as to recover bodies that had become entangled in the debris. Katesh town and the villages of Jorodom, Gendabi, Mogito, and Gedan'gonyi were recognized as the most impacted locations.
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Sendiga described the situation as "horrifying," adding that one community has been entirely covered by mudflow, implying that the number of casualties could climb.
According to Gabriel Mbogoni, a senior official with the Geological Survey of Tanzania, a team from the institution is on its way to the region to conduct investigations.
Sendiga has encouraged the Prime Minister's Office, security authorities, and the Ministry of Health to send personnel and resources to the Manyara region to help with relief efforts as soon as possible.
The Tanzania Meteorological Authority issued an advisory for the September-December rainfall season in August, saying that El Nino conditions were more likely to influence the season. It also warned that the rains might be disastrous, causing flooding and disrupting businesses and transportation.
