Tanzania prepares for El Niño rains and potential flooding

Tanzania is preparing for the impact of El Niño, with seasonal rains expected to begin in late September or early October. The Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) forecasts above-normal to normal rainfall for much of northern and eastern Tanzania, including the Lake Victoria basin and the northeastern highlands of Arusha, Manyara, and Kilimanjaro.

In Arusha, the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) has initiated inspections of roads, bridges, and culverts along the Arusha–Moshi highway to identify high-risk areas. To mitigate flood risks, TANROADS is constructing a drainage trench approximately 300 to 350 meters long to redirect water from the Meru mountains toward the Maji ya Chai River. The agency is also building a service road to enhance public safety.

The United Nations humanitarian office has identified parts of the country as vulnerable to flash floods, river flooding, and landslides, particularly in urban and low-lying areas. While the TMA has reported high forecast accuracy in recent seasons, experts emphasize that the effectiveness of the warnings depends on how quickly and clearly information reaches communities to influence ground-level actions.