Majaliwa also issued a stark warning that the downpour is expected to persist into May, prompting an urgent call for families in vulnerable regions to evacuate immediately.

Since January, the disaster has wreaked havoc across Tanzania, impacting approximately 200 000 individuals and over 51 000 households, with 236 people sustaining injuries.

The crisis extends beyond Tanzania's borders, with neighbouring Kenya and Burundi also grappling with the catastrophic consequences of the torrential rains.

The El Niño phenomenon has brought not only heavy rainfall but also fierce winds, leading to widespread destruction and a mounting humanitarian crisis throughout the region.

--Reuters/ChannelAfrica--