The Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) has identified 326 disaster hotspots as heavy rains loom in the month of May.

Adalbert Rukebanuka, the Director General of Risk Reduction, Planning and Mainstreaming at MINEMA, revealed the areas vulnerable to floods, landslides, strong wind and lightning on national broadcaster on April 26, 2024.

The areas' vulnerability was mentioned as the eastern regions of Africa are currently facing deadly floods due to El Niño, a climate phenomenon that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean which triggers heavy rains.

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"There is still a lot to be done to be ready to save lives of people and properties from damage in the 326 hotspots which we found in our concluded assessment. The areas could be affected by flooding, landslides, strong wind, and lightning if there are no quick interventions in case it rains heavily,” he said.

He disclosed that 18 districts, including all districts of Northern and western provinces, City of Kigali and three districts of Southern Province, were identified with the 326 disaster hotspots across the country.

Eastern Province districts are excluded.

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The official said that one of the quick interventions is to relocate residents from the identified disaster hotspots.

So far, he said, 4,800 households have been evicted from those risky areas.

"Residents and schools, for instance, should fasten their house roofs to reduce vulnerability to strong wind. There is need for desilting drainages and water channels because suspended silt blocks runoff water and triggers flooding,” he said.

He said that among disasters caused by heavy rains, lightening takes a big share.

"This week lighting hit 11 students and one died,” he said, adding that replacing expired lightning rodsshould be prioritized.

ALSO READ: Lightning kills two, injures 8 schoolchildren

According to MINEMA, the National Emergency Command centre is ready to strengthen early warning for timely interventions in case of disasters.

Monitoring floods

Rwanda has joined 10 regional countries to establish flood monitoring stations on rivers and lakes.

Equipped with wave sensors, the monitors effectively communicate fluctuations in water levels every five minutes. The water level and rainfall sensors are equipped with SIM cards, enabling the automatic transmission of real-time data to a central database or server which bolsters flood prediction capabilities.

Some stations were installed on rivers and lakes such as Nyabarongo, Akagera, Akanyaru, Muvumba, Sebeya and others.

The installation of the flood monitors is expected to support the upcoming Kigali 'Stormwater Management Master Plan,' slated for completion in 2024, a pivotal step in the city's flood management strategy.

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In Kigali, the 15 hydrological stations are strategically located in Gisozi, Kibagabaga, Kinamba, Mpazi, Mulindi, Mulindi-Ndera road, Rufigiza River, Karuruma, Rugenge-Rwintare River, and Rugunga, among other key areas.

In addition, 7 Automated Weather Stations (AWS) have been set up at Nyarugenge Hospital, EP Gatenga, Rusororo, Rubungo, Kinyinya Sector office, Nduba, and Jali.

Thw initiative is slated to serve as a crucial financing mechanism for strengthening early warning systems, emphasising the significance of proactive climate risk management.

El Niñon effects

According to Anthony Twahirwa, the Division Manager of Weather and Climate Services Application at Rwanda Meteorology Agency, the flooding in east African region is being trigged by El Niño.

ALSO READ: El Nino rains leave Kenya's arid areas grappling with diseases

"The warming of water in the ocean triggered water vapour which after spreading in the region triggered heavy rain,” he explained.

El Niño-induced heavy rains and flooding (riverine and flash floods) continued to hit parts of the Eastern African region, including Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, leading to loss of lives, livelihoods, and displacement.

Twahirwa explained that the current change in rainy season in Rwanda was caused by climate change.

"That is why, if we were expecting a three-month rainfall, we might experience intense rainfall in a short period but lack it in the subsequent months. The rainfall can also delay,” he said.

Members of parliament on April 25, 2024, directed government to urgently increase capacity of Rwanda Meteorology Agency to be able to produce six-month weather forecast.

Currently Meteo Rwanda releases three month-rainfall projections and provides daily updates within these three months.

Rwanda in partnership with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is set to put in place a Center of Excellence in weather, climate modelling, prediction and data sharing.

The centre of excellence in weather forecast expected in Rwanda could be the effective pathway to early warning for all and could benefit not only Rwanda but the entire EAC region as well as meteoroidal science advancement.