Unfortunate events have followed the extreme rainfall in Rwanda in the past few months. The loss of lives and property, in addition to severe fatalities that have now become a norm in the East African country in recent times.
Over the weekend, landslides as a result of heavy rains killed at least 18 people in Rwanda’s Northern and Western province. The government confirmed these deaths, which means the total number of people who have died from landslides have reached over 200 since January this year.
The rainfall has been aboveboard this year. “The four months have been far worse than other years. This is terrifying,” Philippe Habinshuti, from the disaster management ministry, told Reuters.
Interior Minister, Francis Kaboneka said that residents in areas which the government had identified as “high risk” were asked to leave. But unfortunately, may people didn’t heed the government’s warning and this resulted in loss of more lives.