The strongest wind ranging between eight and ten metres per second is expected to hit some parts of the country, mainly in western and southern provinces, according to a ten-day forecast by Rwanda Metrological Agency. The forecast, which covers March 21 and 31, indicates that the districts that are likely to be most hit are Gatsibo, Kayonza, Rwamagana and Bugesera in Eastern Province; others are, Nyanza, Gisagara, Huye and Nyaruguru in Southern Province. Others are Rusizi and Nyamasheke in Western Province and finally Gicumbi in Northern Province. The weatherman indicates that ‘slightly strong’ wind ranging between six and eight metres per second is expected in most of the remaining parts of the country except northern parts of Gakenke and southern part of Musanze where moderate wind speed ranging between four and six metres per second is expected. “Impacts associated with rain, thunderstorms and strong wind are likely to occur and mitigation measures should continue,” the weatherman has advised. Increased rainfall ranging between 100 and 140 millimetres is expected in Western Province, Northern Province except eastern part of Gicumbi district and in the districts of Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe, Huye, western parts of Nyanza, Ruhango and Muhanga in Southern Province. Rainfall ranging between 60 and 100 mm is expected over Kigali City, districts of Kamonyi, Gisagara, Bugesera, Ngoma and Rwamagana, remaining parts of Gicumbi, Nyanza, Ruhango and Muhanga districts and over western parts of Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Kayonza and Kirehe districts. Rainfall ranging between 20 and 60 mm is expected over remaining parts of Eastern Province. According to Aimable Gahigi, the Director General of the Meteo Agency, weather and climate extremes are becoming more frequent and intense in many parts of the world including Rwanda. These, he said, include hailstorms that have caused a lot of damage. He said that the 2020 was the warmest year in the last 40 years over 13 principal weather stations and this has since been causing extreme weather events such as unusual rains and drought. The rising temperature has triggered increased rainfall over five years causing disasters, he said. According to the ministry in charge of emergency management, over `170 people have succumbed to weather-induced disasters since last year while over 240 were injured. Most of the victims succumbed to floods, rainstorms and windstorms. The report presented this week during meteorology and water day celebration, shows that disasters damaged 10,643 houses, 8,000 hectares of crops, about 5,000 livestock, 600 classrooms, 126 sections of roads, 134 bridges, 20 water supply systems and 173 transmission lines. “Being prepared and able to act at the right time can save many lives and protect communities. We encourage Rwandans to continue using weather and climate information to effectively reduce impact from extreme weather events,” Gahigi said.
