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3,000 homeless in Arusha after heavy downpour
2006-02-27 09:40:56
By Guardian Correspondent, Arusha
Strong winds that accompanied heavy rainfall in Arumeru District in Arusha Region on Friday has rendered over 3,000 people homeless.
Scores of residents were also badly injured and some are admitted to hospital.
The winds ripped off roofs and destroyed the buildings of two local schools, eyewitnesses said.
The four hours of non-stop heavy rain started at 8.00pm on Friday, villagers said, as local authorities continued to assess the extent of the destruction that is likely to run into millions of shillings.
The rain caused flooding that contributed to the destruction of property, said Sailevu Sambweti, a resident of Arumeru.
Witnesses said about 50 families were seriously affected by the disaster.
The Guardian traced some of the injured – Subira Parsalawa and one Looti – who are admitted to Arusha Regional Hospital.
Yesterday, residents of the affected villages were still salvaging their property, some of which had been blown away into the valleys.
Elioti Secondary School headmaster, Abraham Meingangie, said his school has been closed temporarily to allow room for repairs after it was extensively damaged.
’The classrooms can’t be used as they are badly destroyed,’ he said.
Kisongo councillor Saimon ole Saning\’o said local authorities were still collecting information to get the actual loss incurred.
’We will do everything possible to ensure that the homeless get temporary shelters,’ he said.
Contacted, Arumeru District Commissioner Elius Wawa Lali confirmed that he had received unofficial reports about the downpour.
’I have been told about the sad incident. I’m in another village. We are going to make a follow up to establish what has actually happened and how we can assist,’ he said.
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