Torrential rains and fierce winds wreaked havoc and exacerbated flooding as Cyclone Hidaya battered Tanzania over the weekend. The country grappled with a widespread power outage on Saturday as it braced itself for the tropical cyclone’s impact, which followed weeks of relentless flooding that claimed the lives of over 150 people.
Ferry services connecting Tanzania’s bustling commercial center, Dar es Salaam, with Zanzibar were halted as the cyclone approached the coastline, packing winds comparable to a Category 1 hurricane.
According to meteorological authorities, coastal areas experienced an unprecedented deluge overnight Friday, prompting forecasters to issue warnings of further flooding across the region, anticipating worsening conditions over the weekend.
See Also: Reopening of Kenyan Schools Postponed Amid Ongoing Flood Crisis
The relentless downpour and ensuing flooding wreaked havoc on transportation networks and small enterprises, with reports from authorities indicating that over 200,000 individuals have been adversely affected.
Hidaya is purportedly the most formidable tropical cyclone ever documented in Tanzania.
Source: African News