A FAST westward moving hurricane, christened 'Bondo', whose present effect

is the increase in rainfall in most parts of the country, is heading

towards Tanzania at the speed of 85 knots. (approximately 130 km per hour).

According to a statement issued by the Tanzania Meteorological

Agency (TMA) in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the twister, which is sweeping

from the west of Madagascar Island in the Indian Ocean, was 1,700

kilometres away from the southern Tanzania coast.

The statement, signed by TMA Director General, Mr Mohamed Mhita, said the

whirlwind is heading eastwards.

The agency said the hurricane would result in rainfall increase in most

parts of the country. The rains would be intense in some areas where they

would cause floods especially in the valleys.

TMA said it was closely following the direction and strength of the

hurricane and its effects, and would inform the people accordingly.

We have a 24-hour watch over the hurricane and we will give updates every

two to three hours. Our readings so far show that the hurricane is 40

degrees longitude but is expected by Friday to be 45 degrees longitude," he

explained.

He said though that since Bondo is still very far, it is not easy to know

which regions would be affected most but added that these answers would be

best got when it reaches 500km from our coast.

Meanwhile, Dr Mhita attributed the recent torrential rains that have

ravaged Dar es Salaam, by uprooting trees and hindering the flow of traffic

due to flooding of the roads to the oncoming hurricane.

Commuters from various areas in Dar es Salaam experienced hardships to get

to various parts of the city due to the ongoing rains. Owing to the poor

drainage system in Mikocheni area, drivers had to do guess work in finding

where the road was yesterday.

Eyewitnesses saw pedestrians struggling to cross flooded areas

where they had to pay to be carried on the backs of 'Good Samaritans'.

http://www.dailynews-tsn.com/page.php?id=4963

I would advise you to keep a watch on the above website which is supposed

to be updated every two - three hours.

Pippa:

I can't imagine a hurricane or tropical storm with high winds in Africa. Think of all the poor people living in mud homes! How on earth do they survive that? Or for that matter, with the all rain the past three months what happens to those homes? Does the rain soften the mud so that the homes collapse in on themselves?

Perhaps Carsten and Nico could let me know about that.

Well, as long as the roof is intact and the water drains off on the ground, the houses remain fine. Inside the mud walls is also a wooden structure that keeps everything in shape, so a softening mud doesn´t make the house collapse.
However, there are limits to it. The houses need constant maintainance and too much water will surely make them fall apart. I guess, with all that rain, they are constantly running around fixing them to avoid collapsing.