Landslides in Southern Tanzania Kill at Least 20 Amid Heavy Rains
Children among victims in Rungwe District as East Africa region grapples with deadly flooding; search and rescue operations continue
DAR ES SALAAM — March 28, 2026 — At least 20 people have been killed in landslides triggered by torrential rainfall in southern Tanzania’s Mbeya region, local authorities confirmed, as extreme weather continues to batter East Africa and raise concerns about disaster preparedness across the region .
The landslides struck early on Wednesday, March 25, in the Rungwe District of Mbeya region, where heavy rain combined with strong winds destroyed multiple houses and swept through communities . According to Jaffar Haniu, administrator for Rungwe district, the death toll reached 20 after 18 bodies were recovered on Wednesday and two more on Thursday .
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Among the deceased is a young child aged one and a half years, Haniu told reporters . Five other people sustained injuries in the disaster .
Search and Rescue Operations Underway
According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the landslide affected several wards in Rungwe District, including Nkunga, Lupepo, Kawetele and Ikuti . Several houses have been destroyed, leaving families homeless, and some people are feared to be trapped under the debris .
Search and rescue operations led by Tanzanian authorities are ongoing, with emergency personnel working to locate any remaining survivors and recover victims from the wreckage . The IFRC reported that 18 people have died, including 14 children, though local authorities have reported a total of 20 fatalities .
Forecast and Evacuation Warnings
Meteorologists have forecast additional rainfall in the coming days, prompting officials to urge residents in landslide-prone areas to evacuate .
“Weather experts have forecast that there will be more rain in the coming days, and we urge residents in areas that are prone to landslides to evacuate,” Haniu said .
Tanzania’s meteorological services have predicted heavy rain across most of the country through next Tuesday, raising concerns that further landslides could occur in vulnerable areas .
Regional Context: East Africa’s Flood Crisis
The disaster in Tanzania is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather affecting the East African region. Neighboring Kenya has been hit even harder by seasonal flooding, with at least 88 people killed and more than 20 counties reporting damage . Two rivers have burst their banks since heavy rains began earlier this month, and the Kenyan military has been deployed to assist emergency rescue services .
In southern Ethiopia, at least 80 people were killed in landslides earlier in March, highlighting the widespread vulnerability across the region .
Seasonal Rainfall Outlook
Last month, the Climate Prediction and Applications Centre of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) — a regional bloc comprising East African nations — projected a 45 percent chance of above-average rainfall during the March-May rainy season across most countries in the region, with affected areas ranging from Uganda to Djibouti .
The scale and intensity of the current crisis have renewed concerns about disaster preparedness and the vulnerability of communities living near rivers and flood-prone areas . Local officials and humanitarian organizations have called for improved early warning systems and evacuation protocols to mitigate the impact of future extreme weather events .
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Humanitarian Response
The IFRC has been monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities to provide assistance to affected communities . The organization noted that cloudy skies and light to moderate rain with thunderstorms are forecast across the affected district for the next three days, potentially hampering rescue efforts .
The Red Cross and local disaster management teams are working to provide shelter and essential supplies to families whose homes were destroyed in the landslides .
Looking Ahead
As the March-May rainy season continues, authorities across East Africa remain on high alert for further flooding and landslides. Regional climate experts had warned of an increased likelihood of heavier-than-usual rainfall during this period, and the current events have underscored the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness measures .
For the affected communities in Rungwe District, the focus remains on search and rescue operations and providing assistance to the families of the 20 victims, including the young child whose life was lost in the disaster .
SOURCES / INPUTS
ReliefWeb/UN OCHA: Tanzania – Landslide (IFRC, Meteo Tanzania) – ECHO Daily Flash of 27 March 2026
TRT Afrika: Landslides kill at least 20 people in Tanzania
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