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Dar cut off from Arusha as bridge washed away
2007-01-04 15:40:36
By Pastory Nguvu
Hundreds of vehicles and thousands of passengers were stranded yesterday between Lugoba and Msata in Coast Region after a bridge was washed away by floods.
The bridge was swept off at around 8.00 am. Local residents said the flood water might have come all the way from Mbiki River in Morogoro Region after its banks gave in to huge volumes of rushing water.
The raveging water washed away the temporary bridge which had been erected to pave way for completion of a permanent bridge.
The situation created a communication break down between passenger buses and heavy trucks which ply between Dar es Salaam and northern regions.
Children had to stay without food and water, as they waited for repairs of the permanent bridge.
Regional authorities deployed a team of engineers to scene to assess the magnitude of the problem.
Coast Regional Commissioner Christine Ishengoma, Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Magreth Sitta and Bagamoyo District Commissioner Perenge Mrengo arrived at the scene for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.
As we went to press, construction works on the main bridge were still going on and small vehicles had already started passing.
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