By Daniel Itai.
Mwanga, Tanzania. (News of The South) –
The Tanzanian government has ordered at least 25 000 villagers around Nyumba ya Mungu dam to evacuate to safer areas because the dam is on the brink of bursting after overflowing from ongoing heavy rains.
“There is a significant rise of water level since January 8, 2020. We have informed regional and district authorities as well as village leaders about the situation,” said Philipo Patrick, a local hydrologist.
The man-made reservoir, situated in the Pangani River Valley of the Masai Steppe, about 50 km south of Moshi, is fed by two major inflows; Kikuletwa and Ruvu rivers. It was constructed for the purposes of irrigation, hydro-electric power and fish farming.
Thomas Apson, Mwanga district commissioner, said authorities in the district have asked the Pangani Basin Water Office to help control the flow of water from the dam.
At the same time, Apson said authorities continued to educate people living close to the dam on catastrophic consequences caused by a dam collapse.

