Rwanda has experienced a series of disaster incidents since March 2024, resulting in the deaths of 49 people, according to a report from the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA).
The report details a range of disasters, including 29 cases of fires, 19 cases of floods, 89 house collapses, 35 landslides, 37 cases of lightning, 10 mining-related incidents, seven rainstorms, and 62 windstorms.
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House collapses caused 10 deaths, lightning strikes claimed 12 lives, and mining accidents killed 13 people. Landslides were responsible for six deaths, floods caused four fatalities, and rainstorms led to two deaths.
In addition to the fatalities, 79 people were injured, with lightning accounting for 43 of those injuries. House collapses injured 22 people. The disasters also caused extensive property damage, with over 400 houses affected—some of which completely collapsed.
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About 100 hectares of crops were destroyed by floods, along with significant damage to infrastructure, including 19 classrooms, 30 road sections, 12 bridges, seven transmission lines, and two water supply lines.
The most impacted districts during these incidents were Burera, Gakenke, Gasabo, Kamonyi, Muhanga, Ngororero, Nyamasheke, Nyanza, Nyarugenge, Nyaruguru, Karongi, Ruhango, Rulindo, Kicukiro, Rubavu, Musanze, and Rusizi.
MINEMA has identified 326 disaster hotspots across Rwanda, primarily in the northern and western provinces and in the City of Kigali. The Rwanda Water Resources Board has also issued warnings about potential river flooding in May, particularly in response to weather forecasts by the Rwanda Meteorology Agency.
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On Friday, May 3, the Rwanda National Police announced the closure of the Muhanga-Ngororero road due to flooding caused by the overflowing Nyabarongo River.
"We would like to inform the public that due to heavy rains and flooding in Nyabarongo River, the Muhanga-Ngororero road is temporarily closed to traffic. You are advised to use the Kigali-Musanze-Mukamira-Ngororero road. We will update you as water levels subside," the police statement reads.
Over 240 families relocated in Rusizi district
In Rusizi District, over 240 families are being relocated from the banks of the Rubyiro and Cyagara rivers due to recent flooding and safety concerns. The overflowing rivers have caused significant damage in various parts of the district.
Heavy rains have also caused significant disruption in neighbouring Kenya, where rivers bursting their banks have led to the deaths of about 200 people, with approximately 100 others reported missing.
The Kenyan government on Friday, May 3 announced that 17 dams and water reservoirs in 33 counties have filled or are nearly full, posing a high risk of flooding. Residents in affected areas have been ordered to evacuate immediately or face mandatory evacuation for their safety.