Death toll from Tanzania landslides rises to 68

The death toll from landslides and flooding triggered by heavy rainfall in northern Tanzania climbed to 68 on Monday, a regional official said.

The rescue workers searched for trapped survivors. Torrential downpours washed away vehicles and brought down buildings in the hillside town of Katesh. Tanzania's Prime Minister on Monday paid tribute to the victims during a ceremony to hand over their remains to their families. 

Search and rescue operations were underway with the help of the military as people were feared buried in thick mud.Tanzania and its East African neighbours Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia are battling flash floods caused by torrential rains linked to the El Nino weather pattern.