Heed weather warnings before disaster strikes
DAR ES SALAAM: WE must understand that the ongoing heavy rains across large parts of the country are not just another seasonal inconvenience; they are a clear and present danger that demands serious public attention.
To begin with, Government agencies, led by the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) and supported by the Transport Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office, have issued repeated warnings and updates about the intensifying rainfall.
These alerts are not issued for formality’s sake. They are intended to save lives, protect property and prevent avoidable tragedies. Here, flooding has already disrupted critical transport infrastructure, including railways, highways and power systems.
Sections of railway lines have been damaged, highways rendered unsafe by mudslides and rockfalls and electricity supply interrupted. These are visible signs of a broader risk facing communities, particularly those living in floodprone and environmentally fragile areas.
When roads collapse and rivers burst their banks, it is often ordinary citizens who pay the highest price. The government has done its part by issuing early warnings, deploying repair teams and advising the public to avoid affected areas.
What now matters most is public response. Weather updates must be treated as essential information, not background noise.
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Citizens are urged to regularly follow official forecasts and safety advisories from TMA and other authorities, especially during this peak rainfall period. Ignoring these updates can turn routine daily activities into life-threatening situations.
Again, of particular concern are people who continue to live, trade or conduct business in flood-prone areas such as riverbanks, valleys, road reserves and low-lying settlements. While economic pressures are real, they should not override personal safety.
No income, merchandise or daily wage is worth the risk of being swept away by raging waters. History has repeatedly shown that floods strike suddenly and with devastating force, leaving little chance for escape.
The public must also temporarily refrain from socio-economic activities that increase exposure to flood risks. Crossing flooded roads, operating businesses along drainage channels, washing vehicles in rivers or continuing farming activities near swollen waterways puts lives in danger.
Such practices not only endanger individuals but also stretch emergency services that could be responding to unavoidable disasters elsewhere.
Equally, those residing in areas identified as dangerous should heed government directives to vacate when advised. Relocation, even if inconvenient, is a protective measure, not a punishment. Communities must support such efforts by cooperating with local leaders and disaster management teams. At the same time, this period calls for collective responsibility.
Families should discuss emergency plans, communities should share verified weather information and local leaders should reinforce safety messages. Preparedness saves lives. In a nutshell, nature has issued its warning through relentless rains.
