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By Annonciata Byukusenge
According to Francois Habitegeko, the governor of Western Province said that the number of tragic deaths, caused by heavy rains on the evening of May 2 and 3, has increased from 55 initially announced to 95 people.
The number of people who have died due to flooding and landslides in Western and Northern provinces has increased to 109. Francois Habitegeko, the governor of Western Province added.
The affected districts include Ngororero, Rubavu, Nyabihu, Rutsiro and Karongi.
At least 14 people in Northern Province were also killed by heavy rains, officials said.
A report by the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) indicates that over 60 people killed by disasters from January to April 20, 2023.
At least 408 disaster cases were recorded in this period.
These include 107 windstorm cases, 66 rainstorms, three mine disasters, 77 lightning cases, seven landslides, 13 house collapses, eight hailstorms, 29 floods as well as 98 fires.
It shows that 158 people were injured as 1, 205 houses got damaged.
About 600 hectares of crops were destroyed by disasters while 368 livestock were lost.
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 the report released by the ministry in charge of emergency management last week.
Also read: Rwanda meteorology agency releases May weather forecast
Floods have also destroyed four health centres, 16 churches, nine administrative offices, and 64 water supply systems, among other infrastructure. In addition, more than 3,000 hectares of crops have been washed away, and over 100 cows and 4,000 small livestock have died.
In many parts of the country, the expected rainfall will be slightly above the range of rainfall usually recorded in May. The forecast, released on May 2, states that the first 10 days of May 2023 are expected to be wetter than usual, with above-average rainfall, while the remaining days are expected to record rainfall within the usual range across the country.
According to the spatial distribution map, a higher amount of rainfall is expected to range between 175 and 200 mm over many parts of North Western and parts of Nyamasheke District.
