Recurring landslides in Dimilo threaten homes, schools, and the safety of women and children.
When
discussing various disasters that occur in our communities whether natural,
caused by climate change, or resulting from human activities two groups are
most affected: children and women. This situation has become increasingly
evident following the landslide incident in the mountains of Dimilo Village,
Morogoro Region.
"Although
property and infrastructure have been affected, life is still preserved".
In the mountains of Dimilo Village, within the Chawaga sub-village in Morogoro,
the peace of an ordinary afternoon has vanished, replaced by an extraordinary
fear that shakes the earth. While primary school students were diligently
learning in their classrooms and mothers were busy seeking a livelihood for
their families, the mountain suddenly began to emit a terrifying sound
resembling thunder. "It comes with a great roar," says one resident
with deep fear in his eyes while looking at the mountain peak, which has now
become a source of rapidly flowing mud. This sound, described as a massive roar
without rain, has startled citizens and caused them to live in anxiety every few
hours. This is not a fictional story but a bitter reality facing many families
who are now waiting for the next roar, unsure of what further impact it will
bring.
The
Morogoro District Commissioner, Mr. Mussa Kilakala, while witnessing this shocking
situation at the scene, appeared deeply moved and admitted that this event is
entirely new in the history of the area. "It has never happened
before," he stated, noting that even the elders who grew up in those hills
have never told stories of the mountain vomiting mud in such an extraordinary
fashion. This situation has prompted geological experts to intervene to uncover
the secret behind the roar, which seems to signal significant environmental
changes. On the other hand, the elders of Dimilo Village stand in amazement,
admitting they have never seen anything like it a statement that emphasizes the
weight of this disaster, which has affected the entire social and psychological
life of residents who now view their mountain as a threat rather than a
sanctuary.
"At
that time, we suddenly heard a massive thud; to our surprise, the situation
became what we see now the landslides began, and water started flowing along
with muddy debris and large boulders. This
disaster has occurred and my citizens have suffered immense losses,
particularly in cash crops used for income, such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves,
and bananas, as well as cassava, which is a staple food crop. We are now
appealing to the government to look upon us with a 'third eye' (keen attention)
to investigate the problem and its cause, as we lack the necessary expertise
here. We need them to assess the situation so that a potential solution can be
found and we can determine our next steps. A resident's testimony regarding the
nighttime landslides stated: "I went to bed at 10:00 PM, and then another massive
rock came down; that is what completely transformed the entire
landscape..." As stated by Leonard Mkude, Chairman of Dimilo Village.
Direct
impacts have hit mothers, who are the pillars of families in this village,
finding themselves at a crossroads between protecting their property and saving
the lives of their children. Whenever the roar is heard, all household
activities stop immediately as fear spreads that the mud might reach their
dwellings, as some houses have already been severely damaged, collapsing or
being filled with mud. Residents describe how the mud arrives rapidly every two
or three hours, indicating a recurring underground water source. This has
prevented residents from finding peace, as every small sound from the mountain
is perceived as a danger warning. Daily life is now shrouded in extreme
caution, with mothers forced to remain alert at all times to ensure the safety
of their families in the face of this unpredictable disaster.
The State
of Education Students at Dimilo Primary School have encountered a major
educational challenge after their learning environment was declared dangerous
due to these frequent landslides. The District Commissioner was forced to order
the closure of the school to prevent potential fatalities that could occur if
mud were to cover the classrooms while children were in session. "We will
find nearby schools for the students who study here," the leader said,
demonstrating how the government is taking emergency measures to protect
children's lives. For parents, this is an additional emotional and economic
burden, as their children are now forced to seek education in distant areas.
The school, which was once a symbol of hope, has now become a danger zone, awaiting
its fate while the mountain continues its unending roar, showcasing the power
of nature against human efforts.
In his
address to the citizens, District Commissioner Mussa Kilakala issued an urgent
and emotional appeal, pleading with residents to evacuate high-risk areas to
save their lives and those of their loved ones. "I ask the citizens who
are near this area, which causes harm constantly, to take the precaution of
moving," he stated, recognizing the difficulty of leaving permanent homes.
However, he expressed his gratitude to God, saying, "we thank God that as
we speak... we have not had any death incidents". This statement provided
some comfort to the grieving citizens, showing that although property and
infrastructure have been affected, life is still preserved. He urged parents to
be more careful with their children, warning that the situation is ongoing and
has not yet reached its end; therefore, caution must be the first priority for
everyone.
Various
reports link the landslides to environmental changes and unstable hillsides.
Scientific
Perspectives Scientific experts explain that the massive roar startling the
citizens has geological causes related to air pressure and the movement of
large rocks within the slope. Mount Dimilo is not the stable fortress it
appears to be; it is a mixture of soil, rocks, and water that can turn into a
mud river whenever the soil becomes saturated. It is said that as the slope
descends rapidly, it pushes out saturated air and gases from within the ground,
causing a significant vibration that sounds like thunder. Furthermore, large
rocks grinding together during a landslide produce a heavy sound that can
travel long distances, serving as a natural 'siren'. For the citizens, this
science means only one thing: the mountain is speaking a language of danger
that requires immediate action before water and mud completely erase the
history of their settlement.
The source
of this landslide can also be linked to human activities that have left the
mountain bare and without the natural protection of trees. Deforestation for
agriculture and house construction on steep slopes has removed roots that act
as anchors to hold the soil. When heavy rain falls, water penetrates the soil
like a sponge, and without enough trees, the soil loosens and begins to slide
over hard, impermeable rocks. "Tree roots are lost anchors,"
scientific sources explain, noting that recent changes in land use have
triggered the mountain to start sliding now. This is a sufficient lesson for
residents on the importance of environmental conservation, as today’s
destruction turns into tomorrow’s disaster.
The
landslide condition is exacerbated by the type of clay soil present in the
area, which becomes as slippery as soap when it receives enough water. When
this soil is saturated, its particles lose cohesion and begin to flow under the
force of gravity, with nothing to restrain its speed. Villagers admit that
recent changes, such as the construction of roads and houses, have increased
the speed of water being directed to one area instead of penetrating the ground
evenly. This has caused the top layer of earth to slide like a 'skateboard'
over hard rock, an event that has produced heavy mud burying farms and
threatening civilian homes. This perspective provides a picture of how a
combination of nature and human error can lead to significant disasters.
In
addressing this situation, the government has already dispatched geological
experts to conduct in-depth research to determine permanent steps to be taken
in the village. The disaster committee continues to assess the affected houses
and areas where the land has fractured to understand the extent of the damage
and how to provide aid. The District Commissioner assured the citizens that the
government’s goal is to "restore their joy and the smiles" they had
before this disaster began to shake the foundations of their lives. However,
this process requires time, and citizens are advised not to return to high-risk
areas until an official statement is issued by the authorities. For the parents
and mothers of Dimilo, these promises represent new hope during this difficult
period of fear.
This
Dimilo incident is a reminder to humanity of the great power of nature and the
need to live with respect for the environment surrounding us. While the village
waits for answers from experts and assistance to restore normalcy, caution
remains the only weapon to save the lives of citizens. "We are continuing
with assessments," Mr. Kilakala said, adding that government efforts will
not end there but will aim to bring a permanent solution to the people of
Dimilo. For now, the roar of the mountain remains a warning voice calling for
people to change their behavior toward the environment and take swift action
when nature speaks. It is the hope of many that through this cooperation,
Dimilo Village will return to its normal state and children will be able to play
without fear.
Post a Comment