Over 100 Rwandans Die as Rain Ravages Northern, Western Provinces

More than 100 people have been confirmed dead following a night of heavy rains that caused flooding and landslides in Western and Northern provinces, according to officials. The affected districts include Ngororero, Rubavu, Nyabihu, Rutsiro and Karongi.

This could be the highest disaster-induced death toll to be recorded in the country in the shortest period according to available records from recent years. A report by the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) indicates that over 60 people were killed by disasters from January to April 20, 2023.

President Paul Kagame has consoled the families of the victims of the landslides and floods caused by heavy rains in the Western, Northern and Southern Provinces.

According to the office of the President, interventions put in place to save endangered citizens include evacuation and temporary relocation of residents from affected and high-risk areas while rains are ongoing.

Teams are already deployed to affected districts to provide the required assistance. Also in place is a new command centre, which according to the statement, is actively coordinating emergency response.

Meanwhile, four water treatment plants across the country have halted operations after river flooding polluted the sources of the water they use.

Over the past five years, the northern province has experienced at least 1,500 disaster cases, mainly floods and landslides, which have resulted in over 200 fatalities and damaged over 5,000 homes, according to a report released by the ministry in charge of emergency management, reports The New Times.