Africa-Press – Tanzania. MTWARA Regional Commissioner (RC) Gelasius Byakanwa has directed Rural Urban Road Agency (TARURA) to conduct an assessment on the impacts of the ongoing rains on the road networks so that people take earlier precautionary measures.
Byakanwa made the call on Wednesday, during the TARURA regional meeting here, adding that the assessment will enable the agency to identify roads that have been damaged by the rains.
Giving a brief on the impacts of the heavy downpour, the RC said many roads in the regional urban areas have been temporarily closed after being damaged.
He said TARURA and Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) in the region should evaluate the roads to prevent future effects of rains on the roads.
Meanwhile, the RC said that the regional leaders are taking all the precautionary measures to protect the households that have been affected by rains.
Most households in many parts have been affected by rains, forcing some of the families vacate their homes to safer places.
The most affected areas according to the RC include Naliendele, Ligula, Kiangu, Matopeni, Likole, Chipuputa and Maramba in Mtwara District.
In the event, some school pupils on Tuesday failed to attend classes after heavy downpour forced them to stay at home.
Elaborating, the RC noted that majority of the families have been relocated to safer places and local leaders are ensuring that their needs are addressed.
He said the information from TMA still indicates that there will be heavy downpour in the region, and urged the residents to take precautionary measures and relocate to safer places.
In a separate development, Mr Byakanwa sent a message of condolences to the family of a bodaboda rider, who died on Tuesday following the heavy floods caused by rains in the area for over 10 hours.
He said the ‘bodaboda’ youth died after trying to cross a flooded road at Mikindani area.
