ARUSHA, Tanzania, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Over 1,000 passengers were stranded in Tanzania's northern region on Wednesday for about five hours after rain water flooded a key bridge, authorities have said.
Onesmo Buswelu, Siha District Commissioner, said heavy downpour that hit the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro made the flooded water to overflow the Wasomali Bridge, located along the Dar es Salaam-Arusha highway.
According to Buswelu, transport services in the busiest highway were temporarily suspended for about five hours to avoid possible accidents.
"We're forced to suspend all the movements to avoid accidents that might cause deaths, and services resumed at around 11 a.m. (local time)," he stressed.
Hamisi Issah, Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander, also said there were no causalities reported and that all the vehicles were in good condition even after the rains.
In the northern safari capital of Arusha, 40 families were rendered homeless after their homes were swept away by the ongoing rains. Most of the affected families are located in of Bwawani ward in Arusha District.
Lazaro Orasirasi, Bwawani Ward Councilor, said the ongoing deluge has rendered the families homeless, with some seeking refuge elsewhere.
"Many of the homes have been swept away and part of our infrastructure has been damaged. However, we've not heard of any deaths," explained the ward councilor.
According to Orasirasi, those without homes have since sought refuge in their relatives' and friends' houses.
He added that the heavy rains experienced in the area have destroyed crops, raising alarm on the area's food security.
School children have also not been spared from the effects of the rains as some are now forced to stay home following the floods.
"School children are now compelled to stay indoors for fear of being washed away by the raging waters," he said.
