Severe weather in Rwanda since the start of the month has caused at least 10 fatalities.
Heavy rain, lighting and thunderstorms affected the country between 02 and 04 March, causing 5 fatalities, with floods reported in Kigali and Southern provinces.
Two people died in flooding in Ruhango district, Southern Province and one person in Gasabo District, Kigali Province. One person also died as a result of lightning strikes in Rulindo district, Northern Province and another one in Nyanza District, Southern Province. A total of 13 people were injured and 42 houses destroyed. Roads and bridges were also damaged or destroyed.
On 07 March 5 people died after heavy rain caused a river to overflow and flood a cave in Nyamagabe district in Southern Province. The remote cave is known as a place of religious interest.
The recent heavy rain has also caused the Sebeya River to break its banks in Rubavu district Western Province, causing material damages.
Last month 13 people died, 2 were injured and 15 houses destroyed after heavy rainfall and floods in Rwanda in early February.
Rwanda’s Ministry of Emergency Management said that over 50 people have died and 84 others have been injured as a result of severe weather since January this year. Most of the deaths were caused by lightning, floods and rainstorms. As many as 858 houses and 196 hectares of crops were also destroyed.
Meteo Rwanda said this year’s rainy season will run until late May. Further heavy rain is forecast over the coming days.
In response, the City of Kigali authorities have embarked on the relocation of families dwelling in high risk areas of the city.
Social Media
Director General of Rwanda Water Resources Board @Ngaprime, Mayor of Rubavu District Gilbert Habyarimana and Security Organs @RwandaMoD & @Rwandapolice have made a field visit in the area affected by recent #Sebeya floods. pic.twitter.com/Hy7RN3ENP4
— Rwanda Water Resources Board (@RwandaWater) March 7, 2020
@RubavuDistrict: Kubera imvura imaze iminsi igwa, umugezi wa #Sebeya wongeye kuzura uteza ibiza mu baturage ndetse wangije n'imirima. @RadioRubavu iri mu murenge wa #Kanama gukurikirana inkuru ku bibasiwe n'icyo kiza.@rbarwanda #RBANews #Rwanda @RwandaEmergency @RwandaLocalGov pic.twitter.com/TACJTKTfKf
— Radio Rubavu (RC Rubavu) (@RadioRubavu) March 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/MeteoRwanda/status/1236246117987254273
Happening now: the Ministers @ashyaka, @mskayisire, Mayor @CityofKigali, DG @MeteoRwanda and other Government officials are in The City hall briefing the media about the Kigali City disaster prone areas and the need to accelerate the relocation of people in high risk areas.
— Ministry of Emergency Management (@RwandaEmergency) March 9, 2020
