EL-NINO PREPAREDNESS: VP orders swift measures

DAR ES SALAAM: VICE-PRESIDENT Deogratius Ndejembi has directed authorities to take urgent measures to minimise the impact of El Niño rains expected from late this month, including ensuring roads remain safe and passable.

According to a weather forecast issued by the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA), the rains are expected to begin in the fourth week of September and continue through the first week of October 2026 in the Lake Victoria zone before gradually spreading to other areas in the country.

Mr Ndejembi issued the directive yesterday in Dar es Salaam after receiving a report on the government’s preparedness following the TMA warning.

Speaking to leaders and experts from the Vice-President’s Office, the Prime Minister’s Office–Regional Administration and Local Government (PMORALG), the Ministry of Works and institutions under the respective ministries, he stressed the need for early and coordinated action.

He directed authorities responsible for road projects to closely supervise contractors and ensure construction materials and aggregates stockpiled at project sites were promptly spread to prevent obstruction and disruption during the rainy season.

“The work should not wait until the rains start. Poorly managed construction sites can cause inconvenience to residents and disrupt movement,” he said.

Mr Ndejembi said road projects should have clear plans to keep roads accessible and safe throughout the rainy season, stressing that construction activities should not create additional problems for communities.

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“Let there be a rapid campaign, waterways and drainage channels should be cleared and roads prepared to ensure they remain passable and safe when the rains begin,” he said.

He also directed authorities to immediately remove waste, mud and soil cleared from drains and waterways and dispose of the materials at designated areas.

He warned that leaving such materials along roads could result in them being washed back into drainage systems when rains begin, blocking water channels and increasing the risk of flooding.

The Vice-President further directed relevant institutions to work together and implement preventive measures early to reduce the impact of the expected rains on people and infrastructure.

He stressed the importance of involving defence and security organs in the preparations to provide adequate manpower and strengthen the government’s capacity to respond quickly to emergencies.

The preparations are being coordinated through a national committee established to oversee measures to prevent, control and respond to disasters that may occur during the El Niño period.

Reports presented during the meeting indicated that authorities were assessing settlements located in valleys and other flood-prone areas.

The government is also intensifying public education and earlywarning measures, assessing markets and other areas where large numbers of people gather and conducting environmental cleanliness campaigns.

Other measures include clearing drains, waterways and natural water channels, protecting natural water routes and controlling wastewater to facilitate the movement of rainwater.

Authorities are also inspecting bridges and other critical infrastructure to identify vulnerable areas and undertake corrective measures before the rains begin.

The government is preparing a coordinated emergency plan to enable institutions to work together in rescue operations and the provision of essential services if floods or other rainrelated disasters occur.

The plan is expected to improve coordination among institutions and strengthen the speed and effectiveness of emergency response.

Mr Ndejembi received the preparedness reports from Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office responsible for Union Affairs and Environment, Engineer Hamad Yusuf Masauni; Minister of State in the President’s Office responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government, Prof Riziki Shemdoe; and Deputy Minister for Works, Engineer Godfrey Kasekenya.