Floods destroy over 300 homes and damage roads, bridges, and schools in southern Tanzania
Severe flooding swept through southern Tanzania after two days of intense rainfall from May 14 to 15, 2025, displacing over 3 000 people and damaging critical infrastructure. Kyela, Rungwe, and Ileje districts were the most affected, with villages submerged and crops destroyed.
Image credit: EUMETSAT/Meteosat, Zoom Earth, The Watchers. Acquired at 05:50 UTC on May 15, 2025
Continuous rainfall from May 14 to 15, triggered severe flooding in Tanzania’s southern highlands, with Kyela, Rungwe, and Ileje districts the most affected. In Kyela, runoff from surrounding hills flowed into Lake Nyasa, inundating 15 villages across five wards.
Flooding has forced many families to leave their homes. Evacuation centers have been set up in Katumba Songwe, Mwaya, Kajunjumele, and Ipinda wards. These areas were hit the hardest. More than 452 households, or about 3 150 people, are now staying in four shelters. The shelters include schools and temporary structures.
No deaths have been reported so far. However, five people are still missing and 21 have been injured. Food, clean water and sanitation remain in very short supply.
A total of 318 houses were destroyed and 436 others partially damaged. Five water wells have been contaminated, while four bridges and three major roads were washed away. Communication remains disrupted in several areas. Public infrastructure has also been affected, with damage reported in 35 schools, 12 churches, and 4 mosques.
Thousands of hectares of maize, rice, vegetables, bananas, cocoa, and cassava crops were lost, creating a serious risk to food supplies and local livelihoods.
The Tanzanian government has set up four emergency shelters that now accommodate more than 100 households. Food supplies are also being delivered to those staying in camps.
References:
1 TZA: Flood – 05-2025 – KYELA FLOODS IN MBEYA REGION TANZANIA – IFRC Field Report – May 15, 2025
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