Water shortages, heat strain daily life in Tanzania's Dar es Salaam

(MENAFN) For weeks, Prisca Ntaula has barely slept. The single mother of a seven-year-old boy lives in Temboni, on the outskirts of Tanzania’s largest city, where finding water has become an exhausting daily obsession.

For nearly three weeks, household taps in her area have produced nothing, forcing her to spend long hours searching for water to meet even the most basic needs such as drinking and cooking. Hygiene has become a luxury she can no longer afford.

"Since the water shortage began, I have spent most of my time searching for water," Ntaula said, her voice heavy with exhaustion. "I have stopped washing clothes altogether. The little I get, about 10 to 20 liters, is only for drinking and cooking. If this continues, we may start seeing outbreaks of diseases like cholera," said the single parent.

The situation has been worsened by rapidly rising costs. Ntaula explains that the price of a 1,000-liter water delivery has jumped sharply within weeks, placing clean water beyond the reach of many low-income families.

She has already spent the money she had saved for her son’s school enrollment next year. "I have spent all my money buying water," said Ntaula, a food vendor.

Extreme heat has intensified the hardship. "Because of the heat, my son and I have almost spent sleepless nights," she said. "Even when you manage to find water, the heat drains you."

Her struggle reflects the reality faced by millions across Dar es Salaam, a coastal metropolis home to more than 5.3 million people. Extended dry conditions combined with rising temperatures have reduced water levels in the river that supplies most of the city’s households and industries, turning everyday life into a relentless hunt for water.

Across neighborhoods, residents carrying yellow jerry cans queue at boreholes from early morning until nightfall.

Water trucks roam the streets, pursued by anxious customers hoping to secure a few liters before supplies run out.

The crisis began in early December after warnings of major supply disruptions affecting large parts of the city and surrounding areas.

Earlier notices linked the shortages to significantly reduced river levels following delayed rainfall after a prolonged dry spell. Output from the main water treatment facility dropped well below normal capacity, cutting off supplies to wide sections of the city.

"Water service shortages have occurred in many areas due to reduced production linked to the drop in the Ruvu River's water level following delayed rains," DAWASA said in a public notice.

Authorities responded by restricting river water use for farming and prioritizing domestic consumption.

Groundwater wells were rehabilitated and linked to the supply network to ease pressure. Despite these steps, demand continues to far exceed available supply.

The crisis has also transformed the informal water market. Vendors have seen demand surge, creating booming business while raising concerns about affordability for ordinary residents.

"Since the shortage began, I raised the price of a 1,000-liter water bowser from 20,000 shillings to 30,000 shillings," Kimaro said as his phone rang repeatedly with customer orders. "The price increase hasn't stopped anyone. I get calls from morning until night."

At the heart of the water crisis is an intense heatwave affecting much of the country. Late November brought alerts warning of persistent extreme temperatures, especially in regions with irregular rainfall patterns, following months of unusually hot and dry weather.

Weather data showed temperatures far above seasonal norms in several locations. One station recorded a peak of 35.7 degrees Celsius in late November, more than four degrees higher than average.

Experts said high atmospheric moisture along the coast, driven by evaporation from the Indian Ocean, has intensified heat stress. While seasonal rains are expected to bring some relief, the public has been urged to follow weather updates closely and take precautions.

In mid-December, water rationing schedules were introduced in Dar es Salaam, with residents instructed to limit usage strictly to essential needs.

Beyond water shortages, fears are mounting over food security. Later in December, senior government officials urged citizens to conserve food supplies amid delays in the rainy season, citing forecasts that predict uneven and below-average rainfall across several regions.

To address long-term risks, authorities have accelerated major water infrastructure projects. At the end of December, instructions were issued to speed up construction of a large dam project intended to secure future water supply, which is currently less than halfway complete.

Officials have acknowledged that climate change has sharply reduced daily water production, leaving a significant shortfall. Measures to mitigate the crisis include restoring river flow patterns and expanding the use of boreholes within the urban supply system.

For residents like Prisca Ntaula, these efforts offer a glimmer of hope, though relief feels far away. As water scarcity, extreme heat, and food concerns collide, Tanzania’s largest city is facing the harsh realities of climate change—measured one bucket at a time.

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