The Western and Northern regions of Rwanda have been hit by heavy rains triggering flooding and landslides that have already claimed the lives of at least 109 people. Most of the victims fell victim to landslides with scores also sustaining injuries and homes destroyed. The extreme weather event has hampered rescue operations as inundated roads make it difficult to reach some of the affected areas. Reports indicate that among those affected are the districts of Ngororero, Rubavu, Nyabihu, Rutsiro, and Karongi. The Rwanda Meteorology Agency has predicted above-average rainfall for May across the country.
Sadly, such occurrences of extreme weather events have been increasing over the past thirty years in Rwanda as observed by the World Bank. In addition, data from Rwanda’s Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management shows that from January to 20 April alone, weather disasters had claimed the lives of 60 people and destroyed over 1,200 homes across the nation. The government of Rwanda has since warned residents about the high risk of living in areas that are prone to flooding and how they can seek alternative housing.
The immediate priority now is to reach every damaged house and search for survivors. The worst-hit communities in the Western Province were Rutsiro, where 26 people perished, Nyabihu, with 19 deaths, and Rubavu and Ngororero each with 18 dead. The Rwanda Broadcasting Agency indicated how some communities are facing a “big problem” of needing to bury the dead. Furthermore, floodwaters were still rising in some areas, posing a continued threat to lives.
The East African region is no stranger to extreme weather events, with such occurrences happening more frequently and with greater intensity due to climate change. For instance, Uganda has also experienced heavy rains since late March, where landslides have been reported in elevated areas. In addition, climate scientists warn that precipitation extremes are likely to increase as the climate warms, leading to more prolonged dry spells and heavy rainfall, particularly in coastal countries like East African nations.
In conclusion, the devastating floods and landslides in Rwanda should prompt the government to consider adopting effective disaster management strategies to minimize the loss of lives and destruction of property. More significantly, there is a need for the country to embrace sustainable development practices that protect the environment and minimize the impact of climate change.
