RUKWA: TWO people from the same family at Isangwa Village in Muze Ward along the Lake Rukwa Rift Valley Basin in Sumbawanga District died on Sunday and twelve other sustained injuries after they were buried under mud following heavy rain that caused a landslide.
The two ill-fated people and 12 injured persons all are members of elderly pastoralist, Ilindilo Ngusa (60) family.
The incident happened following heavy rains which lasted for three hours and rendered them homeless after their four houses were wholly submerged.
Muze Ward Executive Officer (WEO), John Mtonte confirmed to the ‘Daily News’ yesterday over phone that the family of Mzee Ngusa, a pastoralist, lost two members a woman and a child.
Mr Mtonte said the dead were identified as Saida Ngusa (26) and a girl child, Ngishi Ngusa.
“Ngusa (60) his wife Yunge (60) and ten members of his family have sustained multiple injuries. He named others who sustained injuries as six children namely Shoma Kwisu (5), Kabula Kwisu (7) Juma Kwisu (10) and Elizabeth Kwisu (13).
Others are Shija Buzali (30), Nyanzombe Buzali (20) Tungu Weja (24) and Kwisu Weja (18).
He further said the family of Mzee Ngusa lost 30 goats, more than 100 chicken and 20 ha of maize farm which were buried under the mud.
Those injured are currently undergoing treatment at nearby dispensary in Uzia village. According to reports, Ngusa and eleven members of his family are progressing well.
Sumbawanga District Commissioner Mr Nyankia Cherukie confirmed the incident, saying the rain wreaked havoc at the area.
Mr Cherukie who rushed to the scene of incident further said the heavy rain, which started shortly after mid night on Sunday, lasted till 11:00 am.
At the scene of incident, DC Cherukie was accompanied by members of district security committee and a team of journalists.
The DC directed the Sumbawanga District Council Director to ensure 450 residents of Kamoko area located on the foot of Lymbalyamfipa escapement to be relocated to safer area because the heavy rain is still pounding the area.
“The actual damages have not been quantified so far; therefore, I’m asking disaster team to hasten assessing the damages caused by the heavy rain at all wards along the Rift Valley Rukwa Basin to have a comprehensive report,” stressed the DC.
