The Meteorology agency has issued a warning about the possibility of imminent river flooding in the country. The warning is a result of the recent increase in water content in the soil and rising water levels in the rivers due to accumulated rainfall. The forecaster also cautioned that impacts related to soil erosion, river flooding, and landslides are expected in the next few days, up to March 31, as rainfall is expected to continue in several parts of the country. To strengthen the early warning system, the agency recently announced that it will roll out flood sensors across the country. This move is aimed at improving the country's ability to detect and respond to floods, which are a frequent occurrence in Rwanda during the rainy season. It is hoped that this measure will help to minimize the risk of damage to infrastructure and loss of life caused by floods. ALSO READ: Rwanda set to roll out ‘flood sensors’ to mitigate disasters Installing flood sensors (detectors of water levels) on rivers, drainages and lakes, is among the investments that Rwanda is making to manage and control the effects of storm water- surface water in abnormal quantities resulting from heavy falls of rain that result in floods. ALSO READ: City of Kigali sounds warning as floods kill three people The rainfall could trigger poor visibility and slippery roads which may impede widespread traffic/travel disruption, weather agency said. Rainfall ranging between 30 and 180 mm is expected across the country and the amount will be above the range of rain recorded in the long-term period. The range of the previous rainfall in the long-term period varies between 30 and 100 mm meaning there is an increase of 80 mm in some parts of the country. Thunderstorms The predicted rainfall will be associated with thunderstorms in many parts of the country. ALSO READ: Lightning kills two, injures 8 schoolchildren The main drivers of expected above normal rainfall is the active phase of Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) (eastward moving pulse of cloud and rainfall near the equator), which brings heavy dense cloud and rain over Rwanda and the region and lower the temperature to be cooler than average. Higher amount of rainfall is expected to range between 150 and 180 mm over eastern and northern parts of Rusizi and Rubavu Distcts, many parts of Nyamasheke District and western parts of Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, Nyabihu and Musanze Districts. The remaining parts of Western and Northern Provinces, except southern parts of Gicumbi and Rulindo Districts, Nyaruguru and Nyamagabe and few parts of Huye and Muhanga Districts are expected to record rainfall ranging between 120 and 150 mm. ALSO READ: Over 100 disaster-related incidents recorded in 15 days Rainfall ranging between 30 and 60 mm is the lowest amount expected over eastern parts of Eastern Province and southern parts of Bugesera District. The rest parts of the country are expected to record rainfall ranging between 60 and 120 mm. Wind speed Moderate to strong wind speed ranging between 4 and 10 m/s is expected across the country. ALSO READ: Weather agency predicts strong winds in the next five day Strong wind speed ranging between 8 and 10 m/s is expected in parts of Kirehe and south-western parts of Kayonza Districts. Slightly strong wind speed ranging between 6 and 8 m/s is expected over Gisagara, Huye, Nyaruguru, Nyanza, Karongi and Ruhango Districts, remaining parts of Kayonza and Kirehe Districts and few parts of Ngororero, Kamonyi, Muhanga, Nyamagabe, Burera, Musanze and Gatsibo Districts. The rest of the country is expected to experience moderate wind speed ranging between 4 and 6 m/s.
