MORE than 200 pupils of Generation Primary School in Mbeya City had to be removed from their dormitories as a mud torrent approached.

Malumbo Ngata, the regional fire and rescue force commander, said his office received information about the incident in morning hours and rushed to the area for rescue.

The team started evacuating the area, starting with people in besieged houses to shift them to safe places, with no loss of life reported in the situation.

Juma Homera, the regional commissioner, ordered people losing homesteads in the mudflow to seek safe places, compelling the suspension of classes at Generation Primary School and nearby St. Mary's school, also in the vicinity of the mudflow.

A mud torrent followed the collapse of a section of Mount Kawetere slope, with the flow covering 20 residential houses, rendering 200 people in need of shelter, with local observers saying the soaking oils and mudflows could be repeated.

Upendo Mwakasendo, a resident, said many people were preparing for church services when alarm was raised of a mud flood.

Local leaders communicated to check the situation and saw the mud flowing down the valley, with some houses already engulfed in mud. Mountain debris was flowing, demolishing other houses still standing, she said.

Power distribution poles fell in the mud torrent, severing electricity and in some cases smoke could be seen, raising fears of wider danger, as people started shouting for help.

Sophia Mwasalemba, an eyewitness, said local residents were in shock as they never imagined they were in a situation similar to what happened in Hanang.

Sambwee Shitambala, the Itezi ward councillor, said the mud flow arose from poor vegetation on the mountain after years of wanton tree felling for farm expansion, charcoal burning and firewood.

Some residents did not save anything from their houses, he said, expressing gratitude to people in the area for helping to rescue the pupils. Livestock were also struggling in the sliding mud, he added.