By Olive Mukahirwe
Approximately 600 people died in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo when heavy rains pounded the region on the night of May 2, causing floods and landslides. The most affected districts were on the border of the neighboring countries, and include Rubavu, Karongi, Rutsiro, Ngororero, and Nyabihu. The situation was aggravated by the river Sebeya, which overflowed, flooding houses, and carrying away goods and people.
On May 12, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda visited the affected areas in Rubavu District. He met with people in the makeshift camps set up to receive relocated people, and told the residents that authorities could not have done anything to prevent the floods or heavy rains from occurring, but could provide assistance to those who survived the tragedy.
“I am here to stand with you and to tell you that we are thinking about you, we know the suffering this tragedy has caused and we are concerned for your well-being. We are doing everything within our means to help you overcome this difficult time. We will do our best so that those who are able to return to their normal lives can do so in the shortest time possible,” Kagame said.
Rwanda has announced that more than 130 billion Rwandan francs are needed to repair the damage, and rehabilitation and resettlement of the people displaced by the disaster. The Rwandan Ministry of Emergency Management reported that more than 131 people lost their lives, and 104 were injured in the natural disaster. In addition, more than 6,000 houses, 14 highways, eight waterworks, and 12 power dams were damaged.
Meanwhile, the rains also struck DR Congo. North and South Kivu province were hit particularly hard, especially the area of Rubaya, known for its mines – including the largest coltan mine in the country – and Kalehe, known for sheltering over 100,000 refugees from violence in North and South Kivu. Together, more than 400 people were killed in their areas..
According to Reuters, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development had forecast heavy rains in East Africa. And on April 23, the IGAD’s Climate Prediction and Application Centre warned that during the first weeks of May the rains would be “exceptional” in Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya – and that Ethiopia, Somalia, and Djibouti could be pounded even harder.
Between March 30 and April 1, Burundi’s Rugigo River overflowed its banks in the Cibitoke province. This, in turn, flooded tunnels of the nearby gold mine in Mabayi Commune, and 14 miners died.
Extreme weather events have increased around the globe in recent years, and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attributed the recent torrential rains in East Africa to climate change.
Deadly rainfall in Africa’s Great Lakes Region
Approximately 600 people died in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo when heavy rains pounded the region on the night of May 2, causing floods and landslides. The most affected districts were on the border of the neighboring countries, and include Rubavu, Karongi, Rutsiro, Ngororero, and Nyabihu. The situation was aggravated by the river Sebeya, which overflowed, flooding houses, and carrying away goods and people.
On May 12, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda visited the affected areas in Rubavu District. He met with people in the makeshift camps set up to receive relocated people, and told the residents that authorities could not have done anything to prevent the floods or heavy rains from occurring, but could provide assistance to those who survived the tragedy.
“I am here to stand with you and to tell you that we are thinking about you, we know the suffering this tragedy has caused and we are concerned for your well-being. We are doing everything within our means to help you overcome this difficult time. We will do our best so that those who are able to return to their normal lives can do so in the shortest time possible,” Kagame said.
Rwanda has announced that more than 130 billion Rwandan francs are needed to repair the damage, and rehabilitation and resettlement of the people displaced by the disaster. The Rwandan Ministry of Emergency Management reported that more than 131 people lost their lives, and 104 were injured in the natural disaster. In addition, more than 6,000 houses, 14 highways, eight waterworks, and 12 power dams were damaged.
Meanwhile, the rains also struck DR Congo. North and South Kivu province were hit particularly hard, especially the area of Rubaya, known for its mines – including the largest coltan mine in the country – and Kalehe, known for sheltering over 100,000 refugees from violence in North and South Kivu. Together, more than 400 people were killed in their areas..
According to Reuters, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development had forecast heavy rains in East Africa. And on April 23, the IGAD’s Climate Prediction and Application Centre warned that during the first weeks of May the rains would be “exceptional” in Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya – and that Ethiopia, Somalia, and Djibouti could be pounded even harder.
Between March 30 and April 1, Burundi’s Rugigo River overflowed its banks in the Cibitoke province. This, in turn, flooded tunnels of the nearby gold mine in Mabayi Commune, and 14 miners died.
Extreme weather events have increased around the globe in recent years, and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attributed the recent torrential rains in East Africa to climate change.
