DAR ES SALAAM, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's weather watchdog said on Thursday in 2021 the country experienced extreme weather events, mainly heavy rainfall, floods, prolonged dry spells, strong winds, and high temperatures caused by climate change.
"These extreme weather events significantly threatened livelihoods," said the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) in a statement on the status of Tanzania climate in 2021.
Heavy rainfall was mainly recorded during January and February 2021, causing widespread flooding in some parts of the country, especially in southern and western regions, which resulted in massive destruction of infrastructures, settlements, and farm fields, said the statement.
According to the statement, 19 roads, 2,648 households with 13,240 residents were affected, while 2,617 houses were destroyed by flooded water out of which 566 were washed away.
The statement said November 2021 was the warmest month on record, adding that November and December were the warmest months of the year with November being a record break in historical observational perspective while December being the third warmest on record since 1970.
"Large number of the highest daily maximum temperature exceeding 35 degrees Celsius occurred in November 2021 across different parts of the country," said the statement.
The country was generally dry over most of the bimodal areas, especially during the October-December 2021 rainy season, owing to insufficient rainfall observed over many parts of the country, said the statement. ■