RUKWA: 28-YEAR old man, Ponsiano Msangawale from Kisa Village, Milepa Ward in Sumbawanga District has died after being hit by raging floods.
The victim was buried under the heap of the sand following heavy rains which lasted for three hours, rendering 21 families homeless after their houses were badly damaged.
Also, Sidonia Elias (33) from Sikalilo Village, who is the mother of six children, sustained multiple injuries and she is currently receiving treatment at the nearby health facility.
According to reports from the facility, she is progressing well. Sumbawanga District Commissioner Mr Nyankia Chirukie accompanied by some members of the district defence and security committee and a team of journalists traveled about 100 kms from Sumbawanga town and arrived at Ilemba Ward on Sunday afternoon during which they witnessed the impact of calamity caused by heavy rains.
However, the DC and his team had to use tricycles to ride to the Sakalilo Village, where the Mumba Bridge was completely washed away by flood, preventing them from travelling further.
Two wards of Ilemba and Milepa have been affected by heavy rainfall where the raging flood waters damaged seven bridges.
Equally, road communication in eight villages in the two aforementioned wards were rendered completely inaccessible.
The two wards are famous for rice production, where some 100 hectares of paddy farms and two irrigation schemes funded by the government have been washed away.
DC Cherukie confirmed the incident, saying the calamity wreaked havoc, with many still reeling from its pangs in Milepa and Ilemba wards.
He further said the heavy rain, which started shortly after mid night on March 24 this year lasted till 3:00 am on March 25.
Milepa Ward Councilor, Mr Apolinary Macheta who granted phone interview with the ‘Daily News’ said about six bridges in the ward were washed away rendering the precincts completely inaccessible.
He mentioned the affected bridges with villages in brackets as Nsogole (Mahenje), Lundi (Kinambo), Mbulu (Milepa) Msanda (Mwila) Kalole and Misufini at Kisa village.
“Also, two irrigation schemes namely Kisa and Msia in Milepa ward were washed away by the heavy rains,” he said, adding that farmers in the area have experienced colossal loss as more than 50 ha of paddy farms after completely being washed out.
However, he said that the assessment team of experts will quantify the actual damage caused.
Narrating the ordeal, Ilemba Ward Executive Officer (WEO) Mr Victor Mwakalebela said that the heavy rains started at around mid-night on March 24, this year and lasted for three hours on Lymba lya Mfipa escarpment, which overlooks several villages.
“The heavy rains caused landslide, uprooted trees and stones before tossing them downstream into Mumbai River at Sikalilo village,” he said.
On his part, Sakalilo Village Chairperson,Mr Abel Kaseneneke said the victims of the flood sought refuge at the houses of some of their friends and relatives and nearby public buildings.
“Some of the victims have taken refuge at the homesteads of their relatives and friends,” said Mr Kaseneneka.
One of the victims, Ms Mary Adam called upon the government and aid agencies to come forward and provide them with relief supplies, including temporary shelters. “Practically we have lost everything,” explained Ms Adam.
The Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) project engineer, Samwel Buha ensured residents from affected areas that road infrastructure will be restored.
