The Tanzanian Meteorological Agency (TMA) has warned victims of last week floods in Dar es Salaam not to return to lowlands because more rains are likely to hit the city, starting on Tuesday.
The TMA Director General, Dr. Agness Kijazi, said on Monday that heavy rains were likely to start on Tuesday and continue for the rest of the week.
Dar es Salaam regional authorities said on Monday that so far 40 people have lost their lives and 5,000 rendered homeless, following last week's three day consecutive downpour, Which TMA described as heaviest in 57 years.
"People should not go to lowlands because the rains will continue" the DG said.
Dr. Kijazi said the land was still wet and rains that would pound the city are going to cause floods.
She said the country was still under seasonal rains, therefore people should remain on alert.
Dr.Kijazi noted that other areas such as Southern zone, South West and West zones will continue to experience normal seasonal rains until April next year.
The Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Mr. Sadick said of the bodies of 40 people who have been recovered so far, 35 have been identified by the relatives. "I thus call upon people whose relatives or neighbours are missing to check with the Muhimbili National Hospital where the bodies are being preserved" he said.
Meanwhile the Dissemination Officer with Tanzania Red Cross Society, Ms Stella Marealle, said the society was still searching for bodies still buried in the mud. She said that a team of volunteers has been deployed to the affected areas to search for the bodies while others have been posted at relief centres.
Area that have been affected include Kigogo, Mkwajuni, Mwananyamala Kisiwani, Mbezi Luis, Mburahati, Hananasifu, Bonde la Mpunga, Kibanda cha Mkaa, Msewe, Mbezi, Sinza, Manzese in Kinondoni district.
Others are Kiwalani, Kitunda, Kipawa, Kivukoni, Msongola, Ilala, Vingunguti, Pugu, Kinyerezi, Upanga Mashariki, Gongo Mboto, Kivule, Buguruni, Kariakoo, Tabata, Kimanga, Mchikichini, Ukonga and Jangwani in Ilala.
In Temeke district, affected areas included sabasaba kijiji cha Wavuvi, Mtoni, Kiburugwa, Mianzini, Charambe, Tandika, Kilakala, Mtaa wa Relini, Majimatitu, Nzasa 'A', Nyambwera, Kilimahewa, Barabara ya Mwinyi and Kigunga.
Last week Kijazi said that the rains that hit Dar es Salaam recorded the highest in 24 - hour day downpour of 156.4 millimetres since 1954.
Already some victims in lowland areas in Dar es Salaam have started returning to their homes after few days of sunshine. Last Thursday President Jaka Kikwete urged residents in Msimbazi and Jangwani valleys as well as other lowland areas to vacate.
"Floods in these low lying areas have been recurring for years, the lasting solution is to stay away from flood prone areas, "Mr. Kikwete was quoted as saying.
Religous leaders on Sunday appealed for compassion and love to thousands of people in Dar es Salaam and other parts of the country currently facing hardship after they were hit by floods caused by heavy rains.
