Nation intensifies efforts to mitigate El Niño impact

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has called for prayers, as authorities prepare for possible heavy rainfall associated with the expected El Niño conditions.

Dr Mwinyi made the call at State House yesterday when Muslim leaders from Bungi in South Unguja Region paid him a visit ahead of the three-day Ijitimai, a major Islamic religious gathering expected to attract worshippers from within and outside the country.

He urged religious leaders to help educate communities about precautionary measures as the country prepares for potentially heavier rainfall later this year.

“We should continue praying for our nation and ask God to protect us from the possible effects of the heavy rains expected during the El Niño season,” Dr Mwinyi said.

The President also urged residents to follow guidance issued by relevant authorities and called on religious leaders to use their influence to encourage communities to remain vigilant, support one another and strengthen social solidarity during difficult times.

His remarks come as the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) forecasts a high likelihood of El Niño conditions during the October–December short-rains season, with above-normal rainfall expected in many parts of the country, including coastal areas such as Zanzibar.

TMA has urged the public to remain alert and continue following official weather updates as conditions evolve. Here is a tightened version of about **500 words**, retaining the key projects, figures and quotations while removing repetition and improving the news flow.

Meanwhile, Dar es Salaam Region has stepped up preparations for the expected El Niño rains, intensifying efforts to clear rivers, drainage channels and valleys while implementing major infrastructure projects to improve storm-water flow and minimise flooding.

Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila said yesterday that the preparations were necessary because the city continued to face challenges, including inadequate drainage systems, human activities obstructing natural waterways and indiscriminate dumping of waste in water channels.

Speaking during a meeting with media editors in Dar es Salaam, Mr Chalamila said the region had directed district commissioners, council directors and other officials to intensify public awareness campaigns, particularly among people living in valleys and other vulnerable areas.

“The region has agreed with district commissioners, directors and other officials to conduct public awareness campaigns, particularly among people living in valleys and other vulnerable areas, so that they can take early action and remove waste and other obstructions that could hinder the flow of water,” he said.

He said early preparations were critical because blocked drainage systems and waterways could worsen flooding by preventing rainwater from flowing freely.

Mr Chalamila said the region was also continuing to clean rivers in collaboration with institutions responsible for managing river basins.

“The exercise involves clearing waterways and removing materials that obstruct the movement of water, with the aim of increasing the capacity of rivers to carry large volumes of water during periods of heavy rainfall,” he said.

The government was also implementing major infrastructure projects aimed at addressing weaknesses exposed by previous heavy rains.

Among them are the Jangwani Bridge, costing more than 6bn/-, Kigogo Bridge at more than 17bn/- and Mkwajuni Bridge at more than 11bn/-.

Mr Chalamila said another major project, valued at about 160bn/-, was being implemented in the Msimbazi Valley to widen and improve the river and strengthen its banks, allowing water to flow more efficiently towards the sea.

He said the projects followed lessons from the heavy rains experienced in 2024, which caused flooding in various parts of Dar es Salaam and affected roads, bridges and residential areas.

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“The lessons we learnt at that time are what have also helped to generate these measures now,” he said. According to Mr Chalamila, the region was also examining how rivers and waterways could be connected and directed through appropriate channels to improve water movement across the city.

He said long-term plans included establishing wider and more effective drainage channels to direct water towards the sea and reduce flooding in lowlying areas.

“This is the long-term planning that we have put in place, and implementation is expected to begin soon,” he said.

Mr Chalamila stressed that infrastructure alone would not protect the city from heavy rains, urging residents to heed expert warnings and prepare early.

He called on residents, particularly those in flood-prone areas, to avoid dumping waste in drainage channels, rivers and other waterways.

He also urged households to stock basic necessities, particularly food, in case heavy rains disrupted transport or rendered some roads impassable.

“Let us have food supplies, at least enough for a month, so that they can help us cope with situations that may arise as a result of the rains,” he said.

Mr Chalamila said the government had also put measures in place to protect infrastructure, including schools and bridges, while local authorities and relevant institutions were expected to use emergency budgets when responding to disasters.

He stressed that preparedness was a shared responsibility involving the government, residents, councils, experts and other stakeholders. He urged residents to maintain environmental cleanliness and remove waste and other obstructions from drainage channels and waterways before the rains intensified.