Tanzania's government on Thursday announced that the death toll has risen to 166 with five more people dead and seven others injured, following Cyclone Hidaya sweeping through the country's south-eastern coast on the Indian Ocean.

Cyclone Hidaya landed on Tanzania’s coastline on May 4, 2024, adversely affecting Mtwara, Lindi, Coast and Morogoro regions.

The disaster affected 18,862 individuals, destroyed 678 houses, damaged 877 houses and submerged 543 houses, according to Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa in a statement he issued in parliament on Thursday.

“Effects of the cyclone have been witnessed on infrastructure as some roads and bridges have been swept away by the heavy rains, with electric power poles also destroyed,” he said.

“Social service structures such as schools and health facilities have also been destroyed,” he added.

He further said Cyclone Hidaya has stopped economic activities such as fishing, farming and businesses.

Majaliwa said the Lindi-Dar es Salaam highway had been disconnected at a 200-metre section in Somanga.

“It is estimated that around 2,534 people are stranded. Some passengers and vehicles have returned to Lindi town; others have travelled through the Songea route to Dar es Salaam; while others have returned to Dar es Salaam from Somanga,” said Majaliwa.

Record rain levels

Majaliwa said the weather stations in Kilwa and Mtwara recorded 316 millimetres and 99 millimetres of rain levels respectively, which are record levels recorded in May, as compared to 96.6 millimetres and 54 millimetres of normal rainfall levels.

“Under normal circumstances, the 316 millimetres of rainfall recorded in Kilwa within 36 hours is equivalent to three years' worth of rainfall for May, specifically for 2024, 2025 and 2026,” he said.

He said the government is assessing the situation, including damaged electrical infrastructure, repairing roads and constructing temporary bridges.

Majaliwa issued eight directives on disaster management to Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads), Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (Tarura), and Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco).

He also directed disaster management committees to ensure that aid and humanitarian assistance reach respective disaster victims.