Chaos reigns as Kahama storm survivors protest.

Kahama. Survivors of Tuesday night’s deadly storm blocked the Kahama-Mwanza highway at dawn yesterday, demanding tents. Hundreds of passengers travelling from the Lake Zone were stranded and police had to disperse a crowd that was threatening the peace.

More than 40 people were killed in the hailstorm, 91 were injured and more than 900 villagers in Mwakata, Numbi and Mwaguguma were left homeless.

Those caught up in the chaos blocked the highway while others sought refuge in primary school buildings, fearing that the heavy clouds signalled more rain. Mr Selemani Kulwa, one of the survivors, said he was puzzled to see relief supplies in classrooms instead of being distributed to the victims.

On Thursday, the government sent relief supplies to those affected by the storm, which saw more than 160 houses destroyed. Families were left without shelter or food.

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda cut short an official engagement in Dar es Salaam and flew to Kahama to assess the situation and promised more government support. He toured the scenes of death and destruction and visited those in hospital. The prime minister promised the victims that the government, through the National Service (JKT) and Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF), would build houses for those affected.

Mr Pinda directed the minister for Health and Social Welfare to send a team to assess the situation and provide whatever the aid needed. “I am also directing that all food supplies be sent to the Kahama National Food Reserve silos to facilitate faster distribution,” said Mr Pinda.

In the meantime, he urged people should continue giving donations to the affected families. Regional and district authorities were expected to provide logistical support.

Posted by Mmasi, Irene