Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Power blackouts hit Tanzania as Cyclone Hidaya intensifies towards the country's coastline

Tanzania’s power distributing company has announced a major blackout for most parts of the country due to the power grid's failure ahead of approaching Cyclone Hidaya

Evelyne Musambi
Saturday 04 May 2024 07:55 BST

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Tanzania’s power distributing company on Saturday announced a major blackout for most of the country due to the power grid's failure ahead of approaching Cyclone Hidaya. The metrological department said the cyclone continues toward the coastline.

Heavy rainfall and strong winds have been reported in the coastal areas of Mtwara and Lindi, with forecasts saying that Tanzania’s commercial hub, Dar es Salaam, may be affected.

Authorities warned residents to exercise caution as the intensity of the cyclone increases.

The weather service also said more than usual amounts of rainfall were recorded in the coastal areas overnight. The Tanzania Red Cross Society has been carrying out preparedness campaigns along the coast.

Over the past weeks, Tanzania — like much of East Africa — has been experiencing heavy rains and flooding which has seen heavy rains and flooding that killed 155 people and affected more than 200,000 others.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in