Geita launches five- day El Niño cleanup

GEITA: GEITA District will launch a five-day environmental sanitation operation next week to clear drainage systems and waterways as authorities step up preparations for the expected El Niño rains.

District Commissioner, Mr Hashimu Komba announced the operation during a meeting in Geita town to assess the district’s readiness for the anticipated heavy rains, saying the exercise will run from September 19 to 23 across Geita District Council and Geita Municipal Council.

ALSO READ: Z’bar urges early El Niño disaster preparedness

“There will be no blocked waterway that we will be left unattended. We are going to clear all waterways across our district,” Mr Komba said.

He directed local authorities to ensure waste collection contractors remove garbage from residential areas on time to prevent drainage channels from becoming blocked.

The operation follows forecasts by the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA), which identify Geita among the regions expected to receive heavy seasonal rains.

Mr Komba said the district faced heightened risks because of its extensive gold mining activities. He directed the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) and the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) to clear drainage systems and remove sand and debris from completed road projects before the rains intensify.

Mr Komba said a 2024 Disaster Management Commission report identified blocked road drainage caused by waste as one of the leading contributors to flooding, underscoring the need for preventive action.

“Holders of mining licences, gold-processing plants and mineral-processing facilities must take precautionary measures to protect lives and the environment during the rainy