MWE Correspondent
Passengers travelling on Tanzania’s Standard Gauge Railway experienced hours of delays on Sunday after persistent heavy rains triggered technical challenges that forced a temporary suspension of services from Dar es Salaam.
At Magufuli Station, many travellers who had already purchased tickets were left waiting from early morning until midday, as no trains departed during that period. The disruption came amid widespread rainfall affecting several parts of the country, raising concerns about passenger safety and the resilience of key transport infrastructure during extreme weather conditions.
The Tanzania Railways Corporation confirmed that operations were halted as a precautionary measure after engineers detected technical faults linked to the ongoing rains. Officials explained that the decision was taken to allow thorough inspections and urgent repairs before trains could safely resume their journeys.
Although the modern Standard Gauge Railway system is designed to withstand challenging conditions, safety protocols require services to be suspended whenever abnormal weather threatens system stability. Engineering teams were immediately deployed to inspect tracks, signalling systems and power supply components to ensure there was no risk to passengers.
While the impact on the SGR was described as limited, the situation has been more serious on the older metre gauge railway, where infrastructure damage has been reported in several locations. Sections of bridges in parts of central and eastern Tanzania were affected, highlighting the vulnerability of ageing rail infrastructure during periods of prolonged rainfall.
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According to warnings issued earlier by the Tanzania Meteorological Authority, heavy rains accompanied by strong winds were expected in multiple regions. The authority has repeatedly cautioned that such weather conditions can disrupt transport, electricity supply and other essential services, urging both authorities and the public to remain alert throughout the rainy season.
For passengers stranded at Magufuli Station, the delays caused frustration, especially for those travelling long distances during the festive season. Some travellers welcomed regular announcements from railway staff, while others called for improved contingency plans to better manage disruptions caused by extreme weather.
The Standard Gauge Railway, one of Tanzania’s largest infrastructure investments, plays a critical role in improving passenger mobility and supporting economic growth by linking major cities and commercial centres. Since its launch, it has significantly reduced travel times and eased pressure on road transport. However, Sunday’s disruption has renewed debate on the need to strengthen climate resilience alongside infrastructure expansion.
Transport experts note that extreme weather events linked to climate variability are increasingly testing transport systems across the region. They argue that long-term solutions should include enhanced drainage systems, closer integration of weather forecasts into daily operations, and faster emergency response mechanisms to minimise service interruptions.
By midday, railway officials said inspections were nearing completion and assured passengers that services would resume once engineers confirmed all systems were safe. Travellers were advised to remain patient and to follow official updates as restoration efforts continued.
