Rwanda National Police (RNP), on Sunday, January 7, informed the public that it cleared Karongi-Nyamasheke road where transport was halted due to heavy rains that caused landslides in Gishyita sector. ALSO READ: Weather forecaster predicts January flooding threat “We would like to inform the public that the road Karongi-Nyamasheke is now open to traffic flow,” police stated. ALSO READ: Weather forecaster warns of likely flooding to affect roads Nyamasheke and Karongi districts are expected to face heavy rain in January as predicted by the Rwanda Meteorology Agency. ALSO READ: How are districts with likely heavy rain preparing for looming floods? Nyamasheke is one of four districts [Rusizi, Nyamasheke, Nyamagabe and Nyaruguru] expected to receive heavy rainfall of 200-250 millimetres, while Karongi is expected to experience heavy rain ranging between 150 and 200 millimetres. ALSO READ: Thousands left stranded as water transport Gakenke, Muhanga is suspended In January, rainfall ranging between 150 and 200 millimetres is expected in the remaining parts of Nyamagabe and Nyaruguru, and Huye District, western parts of Gisagara, Nyanza and Ruhango districts and remaining parts of Western Province except eastern parts of Nyabihu, Ngororero and parts of Rubavu where rainfall ranging between 100 and 150 millimetres is expected. The same amount of rainfall is also expected in the remaining parts of Southern Province, parts of Musanze, Burera, Rulindo, Gicumbi, Ngoma, Kayonza and Rwamagana districts. ALSO READ: Floods, landslides paralyse transport in some districts Rainfall ranging between 30 and 50 millimetres is the lowest expected in January in eastern parts of Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Kayonza districts and southern parts of Kirehe District. Kigali City and the remaining parts of Eastern and Northern Province are expected to receive rainfall ranging between 50 and 100 millimetres. In the first 10 days of January, the weather forecaster stated: “Likely impacts are flooding, poor visibility during rainstorms, soil erosion and landslides in areas of high slopes. Preparedness and mitigation measures should be put in place by relevant institutions and the public to minimise impacts that may be caused by the expected rain.” The heavy rain has been disrupting transport, destroying bridges and roads in some parts of the country. Transport is still halted after River Rubyiro burst its banks, damaging a bridge connecting three sectors in Rusizi District.
