Rwanda Floods and Landslides Kill Over 100 People

Rwanda floods and landslides caused by overnight heavy rain earlier this week led to the deaths of over 100 people. Rwandan weather authorities have issued a warning that more rain is coming.

Various reports also mention that local officials are expecting the death toll to increase as search operations continue for potential survivors or other victims.

The inclement weather started a week ago but reached its peak overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, May 2 to May 3, submerging the western, northern, and southern provinces of the East African nation, which is currently in its rainy season spanning from March to May each year. With this, further torrential rain is likely in the coming days and weeks.

The regionwide heavy rain also triggered floodwaters and mudslides in Uganda, killing several people, according to the latest reports. Authorities believe that many residents are still trapped in their homes as of Wednesday. Communities at risk include those near rivers and along mountain sides, a hazard previously warned by experts.

Rwanda Floods and Landslides

(Photo : Photo by MARIAM KONE/AFP via Getty Images)
Debris partially covers a road after a landslide after heavy rain in Rubengera, Rwanda, on May 3, 2023. - At least 127 people have died as floods and landslides engulfed several parts of Rwanda after torrential rains, destroying homes and cutting off roads, the presidency said Wednesday.

Heavy rain caused the floods and landslides on Tuesday, killing a total of at least 127 people in the mentioned provinces. Rescue operations are underway in the most heavily-affected districts in order to protect endangered citizens, according to the Rwanda president's office, as cited by CNN.

Due to the ongoing threat, the Rwanda National Police warned that the roads between Mukamira and Ngororero, as well as Rubavu-Rutsiro are unavailable until further notice.

Several weeks after heavy rain in the region, a video posted by the state-owned Rwanda Broadcasting Agency revealed muddy water raging down into a flooded road and destroying homes, according to Reuters, which reported that six people also died in Uganda due to related weather events.

Also Read: Flooding Due to Heavy Rain Kills Five People, Displaces Thousands in Tanzania

Rwanda Weather Forecast

Prior to the natural disaster, the Rwanda Meteorological Agency issued a weather forecast that includes a rainfall warning for many parts of the country. Under the weather advisory, Rwanda will receive above-average rainfall for the month of May.

The meteorological agency adds the first 10 days of May will be "wetter-than-normal" with increased wet precipitation than April, as cited by CNN.

Rwanda Death Toll

The Rwanda Broadcasting Agency on Wednesday stated the "death toll continues to rise" with the latest reaching at least 129 fatalities, as cited by The Associated Press.

This may be Rwanda's highest death toll caused by a natural disaster in the shortest period, as compared with available records in recent years, according to the government-backed New Times newspaper, as cited by AP News.

Rwanda's Western province Governor Francois Habitegeko informed reports that the search for more victims will also continue, the U.S.-based media reported.

Since last week, powerful rainstorms swept away multiple houses and left some roads inaccessible nationwide.

Last month, the country's Ministry of Emergency Management reported that from January to April 20, weather-related catastrophes have led to the deaths of 60 people, destroyed over 1,205 houses, and damaged 2,000 hectares of land across Rwanda, as cited by ABC News.

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