Key roads in Dar es Salaam closed due to ongoing heavy rains

Ongoing rainfall has led to the closure of some key roads in Tanzania’s commercial capital Dar es Salaam, with many people being forced to stay at home.

The areas where roads have been closed include Jangwani, Mkwajuni, Africana, and the one leading from Kibada to Kisarawe 2, where a bridge has collapsed, cutting off communication.

According to the Dar es Salaam Regional Road Safety Unit, the closure of these roads has been caused by the excessive water flowing over them.

This was reported today, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, by the Commander of the Dar es Salaam Regional Road Safety Unit, William Mkonda.

He said that the Jangwani area had to be closed since yesterday, April 22, until today, after the water volume increased, posing a threat to the safety of road users.

"Because this road has many users, including students and motor vehicle, we have had to close it for their safety because the water volume is high," he explained.

In the Mkwajuni area, he said the reason for the closure is the excessive water flowing over the road in the valley, thus threatening the safety of users.

Another area closed according to Mkonda is Africana near Nyaishozi, where a lot of water is flowing over the road.

Kigamboni has not been spared either, as communications from Kibada to Kisarawe 2 has been cut off after a bridge collapsed.

"Here the bridge has collapsed, so there is no communication from one end to another. Citizens have to use the detour through Mjimwema to reach Kigamboni or Kisarawe 2," he explained.

The Commander stated that the route through Vetenari via Mwembeyanga is also not very safe because it has many potholes, making it difficult to gauge their depth due to the flooding.

"We continue to urge users, especially motor vehicle drivers, to be more cautious, but if they don't have urgent business in distant areas, it's better for them to stay at home or seek services in nearby areas," he said.