Jump to content

2023 Rwanda and Uganda floods: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Add links
Line 15: Line 15:
}}
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
On 2 May 2023, flooding and mudslides caused by heavy rains killed 129 people in [[Rwanda]] and six in [[Uganda]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Girinema |first=Philbert |date=3 May 2023 |title=Heavy rain, floods kill at least 109 in Rwanda, six in Uganda |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/floods-heavy-rains-kill-least-55-rwanda-state-broadcaster-2023-05-03/ |access-date=3 May 2023}}</ref>
On 2 May 2023, flooding and mudslides caused by heavy rains killed 129 people in [[Rwanda]] and six in [[Uganda]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Girinema |first=Philbert |date=3 May 2023 |title=Heavy rain, floods kill at least 109 in Rwanda, six in Uganda |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/floods-heavy-rains-kill-least-55-rwanda-state-broadcaster-2023-05-03/ |access-date=3 May 2023}}</ref>


__TOC__
== Background ==
== Background ==
Frequent heavy rains causing damage and casualties between March and May are common in Rwanda – in May 2020 around 80 people lost their lives. Floods and droughts have increased in Rwanda over a 30-year period.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rwanda |url=https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/rwanda/vulnerability |website=Climate Knowledge Portal Worldbank}}</ref> Rwanda's weather authority attributes the unusual rainfall patterns to climate change.<ref name="bbcnews">{{Cite news |date=3 May 2023 |title=Rwanda floods and landslides kill more than 100 people |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-65469374 |access-date=3 May 2023}}</ref>
Frequent heavy rains causing damage and casualties between March and May are common in Rwanda – in May 2020 around 80 people lost their lives. Floods and droughts have increased in Rwanda over a 30-year period.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rwanda |url=https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/rwanda/vulnerability |website=Climate Knowledge Portal Worldbank}}</ref> Rwanda's weather authority attributes the unusual rainfall patterns to climate change.<ref name="bbcnews">{{Cite news |date=3 May 2023 |title=Rwanda floods and landslides kill more than 100 people |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-65469374 |access-date=3 May 2023}}</ref>


In 2023, several rounds of heavy rain saturated the ground, increasing the likelihood of flooding. Between January and April 2023, the [[Ministry of Emergency Management]] reported that weather-related disasters caused 60 fatalities, destroyed over 1,205 homes and damaged 5,000 acres of land across Rwanda.<ref name=":1" /> On 2 May, the Rwanda Meteorology Agency predicted above-average forecast rainfall for the next 10 days.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Nkurunziza |first=Michel |date=3 May 2023 |title=Over 100 dead as rain ravages Northern, Western provinces |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/7168/news/environment/over-100-dead-as-rain-ravages-northern-western-provinces |access-date=3 May 2023 |website=The New Times |language=en}}</ref> The Rwandan government previously{{when|date=May 2023}} asked residents living in wetlands and other dangerous areas to relocate.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=3 May 2023 |title=Floods amid heavy rainfall kill more than 100 in Rwanda |url=https://apnews.com/article/rwanda-deadly-floods-109-killed-868f117db85661a73f6d0f532e2b8451 |access-date=3 May 2023 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref>
In 2023, several rounds of heavy rain saturated the ground, increasing the likelihood of flooding. Between January and April 2023, the [[Ministry of Emergency Management]] reported that weather-related disasters caused 60 fatalities, destroyed over 1,205 homes and damaged 5,000 acres of land across Rwanda.<ref name=":1" /> On 2 May, the Rwanda Meteorology Agency predicted above-average forecast rainfall for the next 10 days.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Nkurunziza |first=Michel |date=3 May 2023 |title=Over 100 dead as rain ravages Northern, Western provinces |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/7168/news/environment/over-100-dead-as-rain-ravages-northern-western-provinces |access-date=3 May 2023 |website=The New Times |language=en}}</ref> The Rwandan government previously{{when|date=May 2023}} asked residents living in wetlands and other dangerous areas to relocate.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=3 May 2023 |title=Floods amid heavy rainfall kill more than 100 in Rwanda |url=https://apnews.com/article/rwanda-deadly-floods-109-killed-868f117db85661a73f6d0f532e2b8451 |access-date=3 May 2023 |website=[[Associated Press]] |language=en}}</ref>


Uganda had also experienced heavy rain since March, which had caused landslides that destroyed homes and displaced hundreds of people.<ref name=":0" />
Uganda had also experienced heavy rain since March, which had caused landslides that destroyed homes and displaced hundreds of people.<ref name=":0" />
Line 27: Line 28:
Heavy rain started around 16:00 UTC (6 p.m. local time) on 2 May 2023 and continued throughout the night.<ref name=":0" /> Subsequent flooding killed 109 people in Rwanda and 6 in Uganda.<ref name=":0" /> Rwanda's public broadcaster RBA stated that the number of casualties may increase as floodwaters continue to rise.<ref name = "bbcnews"/>
Heavy rain started around 16:00 UTC (6 p.m. local time) on 2 May 2023 and continued throughout the night.<ref name=":0" /> Subsequent flooding killed 109 people in Rwanda and 6 in Uganda.<ref name=":0" /> Rwanda's public broadcaster RBA stated that the number of casualties may increase as floodwaters continue to rise.<ref name = "bbcnews"/>


The [[Sebeya River]] burst its banks.<ref name=":0" /> The most affected areas in Rwanda were [[Rutsiro District|Rutsiro]], [[Nyabihu District|Nyabihu]], [[Rubavu District|Rubavu]], and [[Ngororero District|Ngororero]].<ref name=":0" /> More rainfall is expected during the rest of the month. According to [[Francois Habitegeko|François Habitegeko]], the governor of Rwanda's western province, people were crushed by the collapse of several houses, and landslides made the main roads in the area impassable, along with flooded fields.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=3 May 2023 |title=Over 100 killed in Rwanda floods |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/over-100-killed-in-rwanda-floods-4221646 |access-date=3 May 2023 |website=Monitor |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rwanda – Dozens Dead After Floods and Landslides in Western and Northern Provinces – FloodList |url=https://floodlist.com/africa/rwanda-floods-may-2023 |access-date=3 May 2023 |website=floodlist.com}}</ref> 4,100 livestock were killed as well.<ref name=":3" /> Landslides and flooding destroyed 26 bridges and 17 roads, 5 health centers, 2 health posts, and a hospital. 5,100 homes were destroyed and an additional 2,500 were damaged.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2023 |title=Rwanda Floods Kill 130, Destroy Over 5,000 Houses |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-05-04/rwanda-floods-kill-130-destroy-over-5-000-houses |website=US News}}</ref>
The [[Sebeya River]] burst its banks.<ref name=":0" /> The most affected areas in Rwanda were [[Rutsiro District|Rutsiro]], [[Nyabihu District|Nyabihu]], [[Rubavu District|Rubavu]], and [[Ngororero District|Ngororero]].<ref name=":0" /> More rainfall is expected during the rest of the month. According to [[Francois Habitegeko|François Habitegeko]], the governor of Rwanda's western province, people were crushed by the collapse of several houses, and landslides made the main roads in the area impassable, along with flooded fields.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=3 May 2023 |title=Over 100 killed in Rwanda floods |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/over-100-killed-in-rwanda-floods-4221646 |access-date=3 May 2023 |website=[[Daily Monitor]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rwanda – Dozens Dead After Floods and Landslides in Western and Northern Provinces – FloodList |url=https://floodlist.com/africa/rwanda-floods-may-2023 |access-date=3 May 2023 |website=floodlist.com}}</ref> 4,100 livestock were killed as well.<ref name=":3" /> Landslides and flooding destroyed 26 bridges and 17 roads, 5 health centers, 2 health posts, and a hospital. 5,100 homes were destroyed and an additional 2,500 were damaged.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2023 |title=Rwanda Floods Kill 130, Destroy Over 5,000 Houses |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-05-04/rwanda-floods-kill-130-destroy-over-5-000-houses |website=[[US News & World Report]] |agency=Reuters}}</ref>


== Aftermath ==
== Aftermath ==
Relief efforts started, however continued disruptions by heavy rain hampered efforts to help bury victims of the flooding disaster and providing supplies to victims whose homes were inundated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flooding, landslides kill over 100 people in Rwanda – DW – 05/03/2023 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/flooding-landslides-kill-over-100-people-in-rwanda/a-65502678 |access-date=3 May 2023 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref> The Rwanda Meteorological Agency warned that additional rainfall is likely.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 May 2023 |title=Over 100 dead as heavy rainfall triggers devastating floods in Rwanda |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/over-100-dead-as-heavy-rainfall-triggers-devastating-floods-in-rwanda-101683118535675.html |access-date=3 May 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> According to [[Francois Habitegeko]], some people were rescued and transported to hospitals.<ref name=":0" /> The [[Red Cross]] assisted with relief efforts.<ref name=":0" /> [[Marie-Solange Kayisire]], the minister in charge of the emergency department, called on local residents to increase patrols and law enforcement.<ref name=":2" />
[[Marie-Solange Kayisire]], the Minister of Emergency Management, said that relief efforts started immediately. However, continued disruptions by heavy rain hampered efforts to help bury victims of the flooding disaster and providing supplies to victims whose homes were inundated.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 May 2023 |title=Flooding, landslides kill over 100 people in Rwanda |url=https://www.dw.com/en/flooding-landslides-kill-over-100-people-in-rwanda/a-65502678 |access-date=3 May 2023 |website=[[Deutsche Welle]] |language=en}}</ref> The Rwanda Meteorological Agency warned that additional rainfall is likely.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 May 2023 |title=Over 100 dead as heavy rainfall triggers devastating floods in Rwanda |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/over-100-dead-as-heavy-rainfall-triggers-devastating-floods-in-rwanda-101683118535675.html |access-date=3 May 2023 |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en}}</ref> According to [[Francois Habitegeko]], some people were rescued and transported to hospitals.<ref name=":0" /> The [[Red Cross]] assisted with relief efforts.<ref name=":0" /> [[Marie-Solange Kayisire]], the minister in charge of the emergency department, called on local residents to increase patrols and law enforcement.<ref name=":2" />


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 23:37, 4 May 2023

2023 Rwanda and Uganda floods
Meteorological history
Duration2 May 2023 (2023-05-02) – present
Flood
Overall effects
Fatalities135
Injuries77
Missing5
Areas affectedRwanda, Uganda
Houses destroyed5,100

On 2 May 2023, flooding and mudslides caused by heavy rains killed 129 people in Rwanda and six in Uganda.[1]

Background

Frequent heavy rains causing damage and casualties between March and May are common in Rwanda – in May 2020 around 80 people lost their lives. Floods and droughts have increased in Rwanda over a 30-year period.[2] Rwanda's weather authority attributes the unusual rainfall patterns to climate change.[3]

In 2023, several rounds of heavy rain saturated the ground, increasing the likelihood of flooding. Between January and April 2023, the Ministry of Emergency Management reported that weather-related disasters caused 60 fatalities, destroyed over 1,205 homes and damaged 5,000 acres of land across Rwanda.[4] On 2 May, the Rwanda Meteorology Agency predicted above-average forecast rainfall for the next 10 days.[5] The Rwandan government previously[when?] asked residents living in wetlands and other dangerous areas to relocate.[4]

Uganda had also experienced heavy rain since March, which had caused landslides that destroyed homes and displaced hundreds of people.[1]

Impact

Heavy rain started around 16:00 UTC (6 p.m. local time) on 2 May 2023 and continued throughout the night.[1] Subsequent flooding killed 109 people in Rwanda and 6 in Uganda.[1] Rwanda's public broadcaster RBA stated that the number of casualties may increase as floodwaters continue to rise.[3]

The Sebeya River burst its banks.[1] The most affected areas in Rwanda were Rutsiro, Nyabihu, Rubavu, and Ngororero.[1] More rainfall is expected during the rest of the month. According to François Habitegeko, the governor of Rwanda's western province, people were crushed by the collapse of several houses, and landslides made the main roads in the area impassable, along with flooded fields.[6][7] 4,100 livestock were killed as well.[5] Landslides and flooding destroyed 26 bridges and 17 roads, 5 health centers, 2 health posts, and a hospital. 5,100 homes were destroyed and an additional 2,500 were damaged.[8]

Aftermath

Marie-Solange Kayisire, the Minister of Emergency Management, said that relief efforts started immediately. However, continued disruptions by heavy rain hampered efforts to help bury victims of the flooding disaster and providing supplies to victims whose homes were inundated.[9] The Rwanda Meteorological Agency warned that additional rainfall is likely.[10] According to Francois Habitegeko, some people were rescued and transported to hospitals.[1] The Red Cross assisted with relief efforts.[1] Marie-Solange Kayisire, the minister in charge of the emergency department, called on local residents to increase patrols and law enforcement.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Girinema, Philbert (3 May 2023). "Heavy rain, floods kill at least 109 in Rwanda, six in Uganda". Reuters. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Rwanda". Climate Knowledge Portal Worldbank.
  3. ^ a b "Rwanda floods and landslides kill more than 100 people". BBC News. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Floods amid heavy rainfall kill more than 100 in Rwanda". Associated Press. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  5. ^ a b Nkurunziza, Michel (3 May 2023). "Over 100 dead as rain ravages Northern, Western provinces". The New Times. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Over 100 killed in Rwanda floods". Daily Monitor. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Rwanda – Dozens Dead After Floods and Landslides in Western and Northern Provinces – FloodList". floodlist.com. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Rwanda Floods Kill 130, Destroy Over 5,000 Houses". US News & World Report. Reuters. 4 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Flooding, landslides kill over 100 people in Rwanda". Deutsche Welle. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  10. ^ "Over 100 dead as heavy rainfall triggers devastating floods in Rwanda". Hindustan Times. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2023_Rwanda_and_Uganda_floods&oldid=1153224146"