Climate change is already beginning to transform life on Earth

The Iringa District Commissioner Richard Kasesela (in sun glass) and his entourage took off their shoes and paddled through the new massive stream of the flood water in the neighborhood yesterday. (Photo: Friday Simbaya)

Climate change is already beginning to transform life on Earth. Around the globe, seasons are shifting, temperatures are climbing and sea levels are rising. 

And meanwhile, our planet must still supply us – and all living things – with air, water, food and safe places to live. 

If we don't act now, climate change will rapidly alter the lands and waters we all depend upon for survival, leaving our children and grandchildren with a very different world; this is according to the reports.

Meanwhile, Iringa Region has already started feeling the impact of climate change in which some parts of Iringa district has experienced floods and outbreak of cholera in Mapogoro and Mbolimboli villages respectively.

The Kitanewa neighborhood of Mapogoro village, Idodi division in Iringa district, has continued to be affected by flooding and in danger of extinction after the blockade Mapogoro river water change its course.

Idodi Division is part of Isimani Constituency whose Member of Parliament is William Lukuvi who doubles as the Lands, Housing and Human Settlement Development Minister. 

About 83 households living in Mapogoro Village have been affected by the floods but they have refused to be relocated in front of the Iringa District Commissioner, Richard Kasesela who arrived in the village.

Kasesela and his entourage took off their shoes and paddled through the new massive stream of the flood water in the neighborhood. 

Upon observing the situation the district commissioner said the households were at risk of continuing affected by floods including losing their lives, if not going to vacate the area, where some of the houses were brought down up by floods due to heavy down pour. 

"This situation is very dangerous and we really need the extra power to prevent these disasters, the houses continue to fall down, and are destroyed by even other infrastructure like electric poles are also in danger of falling down," Kasesela said as he exhorts those citizens moving on the safer place.

He said that the government will implement its primary responsibility of providing them with temporary shelter of those citizens and cooperate with other stakeholders to ensure they receive other basic needs.

In the other hand, the number of people affected by the outbreak of cholera in Mboliboli village of Iringa district has increased from 20 to 85 yesterday morning, while one of them was reportedly killed by the disease.

About 18 patients out of 83 have been allowed after the treatment and others are undergoing this treatment at St. Lukes Clinic in the village.

To contain the disease Iringa Regional Commissioner Amina Masenza has issued various orders, including the citizens to stop eating salads, fruits not washed, and food leftovers. 

Speaking to journalists at her office yesterday, Masenza said statistic shows that the disease has affected farm laborers when to cultivate paddy in the area while they were to drink water from the irrigation canal without boiling that is not safe.

"In these fields there are no toilets, so the sanitation is not good and there are many sources of contaminated water," she said, adding that many of those laborers come from Kilolo district, Iringa region.

She appealed to the people of the Iringa municipality to stop using water from ponds, rivers and rainy water but instead use water from safe sources like wells and water taps.

Iringa Municipal Mayor Alex Kimbe said to guard against the disease in its municipal required the food vendors to stop doing businesses at the moment.

About local bars especially those selling local brews, Kimbe said should closed because the condition is critical and may be the source of the outbreak.

For his part, Iringa District Council Chairman, Steven Mhapa sympathized for the citizens of Mboliboli and families affected by the disease, while urging them to carry out all the orders that the government has provided through its leaders to prevent scourge.

Idodi Division Officer Ayubu Kiwanga said the citizens they are supposed to move in a specific area designated in Mapogoro village where they will also be areas to build their permanent residence.