RWANDA is dealing with a devastating aftermath of flash floods and landslides, with the death toll rising to 129 people in the west and north of the country. Emergency crews have been working tirelessly to search for survivors while dealing with difficult weather conditions.
François Habitegeko, governor of the hard-hit Western Province, explained that their priority is to ‘reach every house that has been damaged to ensure we can rescue any person who may be trapped.’ The heavy rain began falling at around 6 pm local time on Tuesday, causing the River Sebeya to burst its banks. The soil was already soaked from the previous days of rain, which caused landslides that closed roads.
The Rwanda Meteorology Agency has warned that the country is expected to receive above-average rainfall in May. The government has previously requested residents to relocate from dangerous areas, including wetlands. The western and northern provinces and the capital, Kigali, are particularly hilly and vulnerable to landslides during the rainy season.
The Rwandan government’s Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management has revealed that more than 60 people have died from disasters between January and April this year. The Northern and Western provinces of the country have been worst hit, with the Northern Province alone experiencing 1,500 cases of disasters ranging from floods and landslides over the last five years.
According to the New Times newspaper, this could be the highest disaster-induced death toll in Rwanda in the shortest period, according to available records from recent years. Meanwhile, over the border in neighbouring Uganda, six people were reported killed after heavy rains pounded the mountainous region. The Uganda Red Cross said five of the dead were from one family, and emergency workers have started to excavate to retrieve the bodies. The Rwandan Government is working tirelessly to provide aid and relief to affected areas, while also warning residents to take necessary precautions during the rainy season.
(with wires)