Rwanda Meteorology Agency has warned of growing lightning strikes as heavy rains intensify in different parts of the country.
The forecast released by Meteo Rwanda on Wednesday February 23, indicated that growing lightning strikes during expected storms could be recorded in the districts of Kigali city, Bugesera, Rutsiro, Karongi, Rusizi and Nyamasheke.
The warning is also based on the report by the Ministry for Emergency Managing Management (MINEMA) last week showing that most of the disaster-related deaths were caused by lightning in less than two months.
It shows that about 50 people killed by disasters from January up to Friday last week, over 20 people were killed by lightning strikes.
The report indicates that 54 people were also injured by lightning strikes.
At least 59 lightning strikes have been recorded besides 27 flush floods, one hailstorm, 23 landslides, 10 mine disasters, 114 rainstorms and 11 windstorms, according to the report.
30 students struck by lightning on Wednesday
According to local media, lightning on the Wednesday morning struck 30 students from GS Gihinga in Kinzuzi sector of Rulindo district.
No death was recorded apart from four students who are still being hospitalized in Rutongo hospital.
According to reports, the lighting damaged four classrooms, the school administration office and damaged the electrical transmission line at the school.
Subsidise lightning rods
According to the advisory by MINEMA, people should seek shelter inside houses instead of under trees during rainstorms.
It says people should not stay outside for various activities when a storm is mixed with lightning.
"Avoid using phones outside when it is raining and people have to unplug electronic equipment. The residents are advised to avoid walking on bicycles and motorcycles during storms,” MINEMA warns.
Jean Baptiste Nsengiyumva, the Disaster and Natural Hazard Risk Manager and researcher told The New Times that besides inculcating behaviors of avoiding risks from lightning through community education and awareness, there is also a need for increasing lightning protection facilities.
"The facilities should be set up in public places like schools, markets, recreational spaces among others. This could reduce the intensity of lightning strikes which claim lives of people and damage other properties,” he noted.
He said the cost of lightning rods should be subsidized to make them more affordable for communities that are prone to lightning.
In 2018, Members of Parliament urged the government to fast track the procurement and installation of lightning rods or lightning conductors in public spaces to avert the lightning induced deaths and other damages although the installation status is yet to be known as of now.
Other measures to prevent disaster effects
According to MINEMA, farmers are advised to apply anti-erosion measures by constructing terraces, anti-erosion ditches and planting trees to avoid soil degradation and retain run-off water.
"Residents should also comply with construction rules to avoid living in high risk zones where floods, landslides and wind mostly affect,” the statement says.
Ceilings and roofs should also be strengthened to become resilient to strong winds, it says.
According to the weatherman, moderate to slightly strong winds ranging between 4 metres per second and 8 metres per second is expected across the country.
Moderate wind ranging between 4 and 6 metres per second is expected over Kigali city, Rwamagana, Ngoma, Rutsiro, over eastern parts of Nyagatare, Bugesera, Gatsibo, Kamonyi and Nyamasheke Districts, over western parts of Karongi and Kirehe Districts and over southern parts of Rubavu, and Rulindo Districts.
Moderate to slightly strong wind speed ranging between 6 metres per second and 8 metres per second is expected in the remaining parts of the country.
Among other measures to prevent disaster effects, residents are urged to harvest rainwater, rehabilitation of water channels and avoid dumping waste in drainages.
The prevention measures also include de-silting rivers full of debris, relocation from wetlands, water bodies’ buffer zones among other high risk zones.