DAR ES SALAAM, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) on Monday issued an alert over heavy rains that were expected to hit the country's coastal regions for four consecutive days beginning Monday.

A statement issued by TMA said the rains were expected to pound the coastal regions of Dar es Salaam, Coast, Lindi, Mtwara, Tanga and the Islands of Zanzibar.

"The heavy rains may be disastrous, causing floods in some of the areas and disruption of transport. This puts lives of the people living in these areas on danger," said the statement.

The statement warned residents in the coastal regions and on the Islands of Zanzibar to be vigilant and heed all weather warnings.

Ongoing rains that started late March in the east African country have killed at least 15 people and destroyed houses and property in Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam and Arusha. Enditem