52 dead, thousands displaced as rains wreak havoc in Rwanda
Adalbert Rukebanuka, Director General of Planning, Policy, and Risk Reduction, confirmed the fatalities and added that 107 people had been injured in the incidents.
Rwanda has suffered heavy losses due to intense rainfall between April 1 and April 16, with 52 people confirmed dead and hundreds injured in various rain-triggered disasters across the country.
The Ministry in charge of Emergency Management reported that it recorded 390 disaster cases during the two-week period.
More To Read
Adalbert Rukebanuka, Director General of Planning, Policy, and Risk Reduction, confirmed the fatalities and added that 107 people had been injured in the incidents.
“At least 19 houses totally collapsed while 731 houses were damaged,” he said.
The Ministry has pinpointed 522 disaster hotspots throughout Rwanda, placing roughly 22,000 households home to nearly 97,000 individuals at heightened risk.
Among these, more than 1,600 families urgently need to relocate due to the ongoing danger posed by the heavy rains.
The most at-risk districts include Rusizi, Rubavu, Nyamasheke, Karongi, Rutsiro, Nyabihu, Nyamagabe, and Nyaruguru, where continued rainfall is expected until May.
So far, 800 families from high-risk zones have been relocated and are receiving shelter support, according to officials.
The Rwanda Meteorology Agency has issued a forecast indicating that April rainfall will surpass levels seen in previous years.
The expected rainfall will range from 100 mm to 350 mm, compared to the usual 100 mm to 300 mm.
The most intense downpours, between 300 mm and 350 mm, are predicted in Rusizi District, the eastern parts of Nyamasheke, the northern areas of Karongi, and the western parts of Nyamagabe and Nyaruguru.
Rainfall between 250 mm and 300 mm is likely in the rest of Western Province, other parts of Nyamagabe and Nyaruguru, and most of Northern Province, excluding the southern parts of Gakenke and Rulindo, as well as central and northern Gicumbi.
Central and southern Huye and Gisagara are also in this category.
Areas expected to receive between 200 mm and 250 mm of rain include Muhanga, large parts of Nyanza, Ruhango, Kamonyi, and the remaining areas of Huye, Rulindo, and Gicumbi.
Northern Kigali and central Gisagara are also within this range.
Meanwhile, regions forecast to receive between 150 mm and 200 mm include sections of Kigali, the Amayaga region, Bugesera, Rwamagana, Ngoma, Kirehe, Gatsibo, western Nyagatare, Kayonza, and northeastern Gisagara.
The lightest rainfall, between 100 mm and 150 mm, is expected in the rest of the Eastern Province.
As the country continues to grapple with these weather-related challenges, authorities are urging residents in high-risk zones to take safety precautions and remain alert to potential evacuations.
Top Stories Today
