Different parts of the country, from March 11 to March 19 (anticipated to continue on the 20th), experienced average maximum temperature ranging between 20 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius "which is slightly above the range of long-term average maximum temperature” compared to the same previous period, according to Rwanda Meteorology Agency.
ALSO READ: Meteo Rwanda explains rare heatwave in Kigali
Many parts of Kigali City, Bugesera and Nyagatare Districts, Amayaga region, Bugarama valley, and localised parts of Ngoma and Gatsibo districts are experiencing higher maximum temperatures ranging between 28°C and 30°C.
The weather forecaster said a reduction in the amount of rain and rainy days was expected across the country over the 10 days from March 11 to March 20.
Although rainfall was expected on the evening of March 19, Nyagatare District was expecting a 32°C temperature.
ALSO READ: From heat wave to torrential rain; hazards of climate change
Abias Maniragaba, a climate expert, said the month of March should be facing rains as part of the rainy season up to May.
"This week we were facing 28 degrees Celsius as an average temperature yet it should be raining. This shows that climate change affects the rainy season,” he said.
He explained that due to climate change, weather is currently dynamic.
"All were caused by human activities which caused global warming.”
ALSO READ: Number of rainy days in Rwanda decreases by 45
He said that some of the heat wave effects include difficulty in breathing for some people.
"Climate change mitigation measures should continue but all countries should embrace the measures because the atmosphere has no limit,” he noted.
South Sudan closes schools in preparation for 45-degree Celsius heat wave
The Government of South Sudan has indefinitely closed all learning institutions beginning Monday, March 18 due to the current heat wave that is also sweeping across eastern Africa.
The health and education ministries have advised parents to keep all children indoors as temperatures are expected to soar to 45°C (113F). The extremely hot weather is expected to last at least two weeks.
People were advised to drink water regularly and avoid alcohol and too much caffeine and sugar, which are dehydrating.
They were also urged to eat small but frequent meals and to avoid foods that are high in protein.
"If anyone you know is at risk, help him or her to get advice and support. Elderly or sick people living alone should be visited at least daily. If a person is taking medication, ask the treating doctor how it can influence thermoregulation and fluid balance,” the health ministry advised.
The era of "global boiling"
In 2023, the UN secretary general, António Guterres, said the era of global warming has ended and "the era of global boiling has arrived” after scientists confirmed July was on track to be the world’s hottest month on record.
"It is still possible to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C [above pre-industrial levels], and avoid the very worst of climate change. But only with dramatic, immediate climate action.”
Rwanda’s average temperature is higher than the global average (1.09°C) shown by the UN-Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
As a result, Rwanda lost between 35 and 45 days of rain every year compared to the years before 1971, according to the Ministry of Environment.
The global average temperature in January 2024 was 1.6°C above pre-industrial levels for the month, meaning the planet has breached the 1.5°C benchmark for the past 12 months, euronews.com reported.
January 2024 was the warmest January on record globally, the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has confirmed.