Heavy and persistent rains sweeping across large parts of Tanzania have caused widespread disruption to transport networks and electricity supply, underscoring the growing vulnerability of key infrastructure to extreme weather.
The downpours, which intensified over the weekend, affected several regions including Dar es Salaam, Pwani, Morogoro, Tanga and parts of the Lake Zone. Major roads were submerged, rail services delayed, and thousands of households were left without power after floodwaters damaged transmission lines and substations.
In Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial hub, traffic ground to a halt in several low-lying areas as storm water overwhelmed drainage systems. Commuters were stranded for hours, with some public transport vehicles forced off the roads. The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system reported intermittent service suspensions after key terminals became inaccessible.
The Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) confirmed that operations on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) were delayed due to waterlogging along sections of the track and technical faults triggered by the heavy rains. Engineers were dispatched to assess the damage and restore normal services, though officials warned that further delays could occur if the rains persist.
Power utility TANESCO said electricity supply was disrupted in multiple districts after floods damaged infrastructure and forced emergency shutdowns to prevent accidents. Repair crews were deployed, but the company urged patience, noting that access to some affected sites remained difficult due to flooded roads.
Beyond transport and power, the rains also raised fears of flooding in informal settlements, where poor drainage and housing conditions put residents at higher risk. Local authorities reported temporary evacuations in some riverine areas as water levels rose rapidly overnight.
Meteorological experts have attributed the intense rainfall to the ongoing short rain season, intensified by climate variability in the Indian Ocean. The Tanzania Meteorological Authority warned that more heavy rains are expected in the coming days and advised residents in flood-prone areas to remain alert.
Government agencies said disaster management teams were on standby, coordinating with regional and district officials to monitor the situation and respond where necessary. While no fatalities had been officially reported by Sunday evening, officials cautioned that the situation remained fluid.
As Tanzania continues to urbanise and climate-related weather events become more frequent, the latest disruptions have reignited debate over the resilience of public infrastructure and the urgency of long-term investments in drainage, transport safety and power systems.
