UGANDA-RWANDA: Atleast six people have been confirmed dead by the Uganda redcross Society in Kisoro District due to heavy rain
Ms. Irene Nakasiita the Uganda Red Cross Society spokesperson said the disaster happened in Biizi & Gihuyaga villages, Murora Sub-County – in Western Uganda, on Wednesday morning.
“6 dead in the Kisoro landslide(s) this morning. 5 are from one family in Biizi village and 1 in Gihuyaga village, both in Murora Sub-County, 1 injured and admitted at Mutolere hospital Uganda Red Cross is working with local Community members, and the authorities to respond to this incident.” Nakasiita said
She added that communities in Bweramulu, Kanara and Rwebisengo subcounties have been severely affected by floods.
The banks of river lamia in Bundibugyo bust affecting crops, and households along the river banks.
The Uganda Red Cross also warned that over 40 districts are at risk, and half them already affected by disasters resulting to the heavy down pour in the country.
The current rains continue to threaten lives in many parts of the country having killed 5 people in Kasese district in a period of just one week and now a total of 11 deaths in Kigezi sub region alone.
Rwanda floods and landslides kill more than 100 people
More than 100 people have died after floods and landslides hit Rwanda’s northern and western province, particularly in areas which boarder with Kisoro district after a heavy down pour that started on Monday evening authorities say.
“Many houses collapsed on people,” said western province governor François Habitegeko.
He added that main roads in the area “are not usable because of landslides”.
Rwanda’s public broadcaster RBA reports that the casualty numbers are expected to increase as floodwaters continue to rise.
The government’s main priority now is to “reach every house that has been damaged to ensure we can rescue any person who may be trapped”, the Reuters news agency quotes Mr Habitegeko as saying.
Relief efforts have already started, “including helping to bury victims of the disaster and providing supplies to those whose homes were destroyed,” a government minister for emergencies, Marie Solange Kayisire, told the AFP news agency.
The heavy rains pounded Rwanda “all night” and more downpours are expected throughout the month, authorities say.
Heavy rains and consequent damage and casualties between March and May are commonplace in Rwanda, but the deluge on Tuesday night was unusually strong and long-lasting.
This is the worst flooding Rwanda has seen since May 2020 when around 80 people died.
Deaths have also been reported in neighbouring Uganda, where six people have died after landslides, the Ugandan Red Cross says.
Rwanda’s weather authority is linking the unusual rains seen in recent years to climate change.
Many factors contribute to flooding, but a warming atmosphere caused by climate change makes extreme rainfall more likely.
The world has already warmed by about 1.2C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.
Credit: BBC News, Uganda Red Cross
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