Samia orders early El Niño preparations
RUFIJI: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed regional and district authorities to begin preparations for anticipated El Niño rains, warning that failure to act early could result in significant damage to lives, property and infrastructure.
Speaking yesterday during the commissioning of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant (JNHPP) in Rufiji, Coast Region, President Samia said the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) has already issued early warnings about the seasonal rains.
“We have started receiving information from the meteorological authority that from the coming month we will experience heavy El Niño rains,” she said.
The President directed regional and district commissioners, together with heads of various institutions, to take immediate measures to minimise the potential impact of the rains.
“I direct regional and district commissioners, many of whom are here today, along with heads of various institutions, to go and prepare, putting measures in place so that when the rains come, they do not cause major harm to our people,” she said.
She urged local leaders to act swiftly on the warnings, stressing that early preparedness is essential to preventing loss of lives and property once the rains begin.
President Samia also linked the preparedness measures to the protection of national infrastructure, directing regional and district security committees to work with residents to safeguard public assets, including the JNHPP, from damage during the rainy season.
The President’s warning comes shortly after TMA issued its forecast for the 2026 Vuli rains, advising Tanzanians to take precautionary measures as the rains are expected to be normal to above normal in most areas.
TMA said strong El Niño conditions are likely to increase the risk of flooding and other weather-related impacts during the season.
The authority said the Vuli rains are expected to begin between the fourth week of September and the second week of October, depending on the area, and continue until January 2027.
TMA Director-General Dr Ladislaus Chang’a said the El Niño anomaly stood at 2.2 degrees Celsius on August 9 and was expected to intensify further into the “Very Strong” category.
El Niño anomaly refers to an unusual warming of sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean compared with normal conditions.
“This very strong El Niño will be the main driver of the Vuli rainfall pattern this year. We anticipate average to above-average rains across most areas that experience two rainy seasons,” Dr Chang’a said.
He urged farmers to prepare their fields early, adopt proper water-management and soil-conservation practices and harvest rainwater to reduce the potential impacts of heavy rainfall.
Livestock keepers were advised to remain vigilant against diseases, including Rift Valley fever and Foot-and-mouth disease, despite expectations of adequate pasture.
Fisheries and seaweed farmers are also urged to take precautionary measures, with seaweed farmers advised to cultivate in deeper waters to minimise the effects of reduced salinity caused by heavy rainfall.
